"Win the 16" Podcast: Recent Episodes
David Pygon
Optimize your day with discussions on leadership and coaching, personal and professional development. As well as discussions on the modern work culture and engaging employees in hybrid and remote environments.
Win the 16 episode 72, we are excited to welcome Diana Patel, an accomplished entrepreneur and executive coach with a passion for cultivating fulfillment and creating immersive experiences that broaden perspectives and reconnect us with our purpose. With over twenty years of experience in leadership development, Diana has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations thrive.
Previously, she co-founded a biotech company, demonstrating her innovative spirit and commitment to impactful change. In today’s conversation, Dave engages Diana in a thought-provoking discussion on the four keys to fulfillment, the importance of practicing active patience, nurturing curiosity around gratitude, recognizing the power of collaboration, and so much more.
Join us as we explore how to unlock a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose in our lives!
In this exciting episode of Win the 16, we are thrilled to welcome Willie Diefenbach-Jones as our guest. Willie has built a remarkable corporate career with industry giants such as United Health Group and Cigna. She is a true Legacy Creator and Gratitude Consultant, as well as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Additionally, she is the co-author of the thought-provoking book, Mindset Matters.
Join Dave and Willie as they delve into insightful discussions surrounding her innovative company that focuses on the power of gratitude. They will explore how gratitude can transform lives, the importance of resilience on tough days, the courage to embark on new ventures, and strategies for building impactful referral ecosystems.
Don't miss this enriching interview and conversation that promises to inspire and empower!
Episode 70: Dave sits down with Nick Rella, multiple national awards winner for high performance leadership. They had a powerful conversation on performance and resilience. Together, they unpack the art and impact of key performance indicators, explore the “Win the 16” mindset and dive into the critical skill of change agility in today’s fast-paced world.
Tune in to Episode 70 for insights you can apply immediately as an individual contributor or leader in your organization to support your leadership, your team, and your personal growth.
In Episode 69, Dave interviews Jasmine Minor, a three-time Emmy Award-winning anchor and trailblazer at ABC 7 Chicago, who also serves as the CEO of RISE Productions.
In this episode, they delve into topics such as purpose, the importance of understanding our "why," grace, the value of asking for help, work-life harmony, achievement, accountability partners, and the Kevin Minor Legacy. Don't miss this insightful and engaging conversation!
Episode 68: Join Dave as he will dive into the essential goals and habits to support a successful start to 2026. He’ll share valuable ideas and strategies to help you set and achieve meaningful goals as well as discipline and mindset. Don’t miss this engaging 15-minute episode!
In episode 67 of "Win the 16," Dave interviews Paul Rosen, Chief Revenue Officer at Lob, a technology company. Paul brings years of experience as a go-to-market leader, having served as an executive for several fast-growing, venture-backed companies. He was also the founder of his own business.
During the episode, they explore strategies for managing your career, navigating go-to-market challenges, and tackling difficult tasks. They discuss various leadership styles and philosophies, offer advice for professionals at all levels, and pose important questions to consider about your current role, regardless of your position.
In Episode 66, Dave interviews Tom Ruggia, who is not only the president and CEO of Samsara Vision but also a seasoned athlete with an impressive record of completing seven full Ironman races. This conversation will cover a range of topics, from Tom's experiences in the international and merging markets, leadership, career experiences, and what is an adult student athlete. Lastly, they will discuss the competitive world of Ironman triathlons and how it relates to everyday life. If you're interested in business, leadership, fitness, entrepreneurship, or personal development, this episode should provide valuable insights and inspiration. Enjoy the listen!
Join us for Episode 65, where Dave welcomes Chris Brady, Senior Vice President and Director of Practice Management, as well as a renowned national speaker at Pacific Life Insurance.
In this engaging episode, they explore the essential elements of effective leadership, with a particular focus on the importance of trust. Dave and Chris will discuss the process of reinvention, the courage to make bold decisions, the art of public speaking, and the necessity of stepping outside our comfort zones. Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring conversation!
Join us for Episode 64, where Dave sits down with Davy Maddox, a seasoned leader in the pharmaceutical industry with nearly two decades of experience. Davy's leadership philosophy is inspired by thought leaders like Simon Sinek, author of “Leaders Eat Last,” and Adam Grant, known for “Think Again.” Also, it will be crystal clear how important family is to Davy as she balances a successful professional career and personal life.
In this episode, Dave and Davy will explore the traits that enable successful individuals to thrive, the principles of selfless leadership, effective time management, the importance of accountability, and the art of active listening. Plus, they will touch on the influence of Coach Tal. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation!#winthe16#leadership#ironman
In Episode 63 of the Win the 16 podcast, Dave interviews Amy Rapoport Gibson and Jared Gibson. Amy is a partner at Aronberg Goldgehn, where she leads the employment and litigation practice groups. Jared is the co-founder of Outworks, a company that assists businesses and executives in building their personal brands through consistent, high-quality content on platforms like LinkedIn.
This episode explores both business and the personal sides of two successful people and how they attempt to manage it all. Amy discusses legal protections for businesses, and a few other tips from a lawyer's standpoint. Jared shares strategies for branding individuals, executives, and organizations plus the "why" people should be branding themselves. Additionally, Amy and Jared share insights on achieving work-life harmony and how they balance their professional and personal lives. They discuss it's not easy and some days it's about survival and doing your best. The shared calendar will be a topic.
Episode 62 - In this episode of the Win the 16 podcast, we welcome Blake Becker, a former professional IRONMAN and triathlete (2006-2020) and the current owner and head coach of Team BBMC. Blake joins host Dave for an engaging discussion on purpose, goal-setting, mental toughness, and the importance of focusing on actions rather than emotions. They explore the concepts of a strategic and champion mindset, leading people in unique ways, and making intentional choices. Join us for an insightful conversation filled with principles and strategies that can support everyone, regardless of the journey they are on.
In Episode 61, Dave interviews John Mitchell, entrepreneur and author of "The Missing Secret." We are calling this episode "Think and Grow Rich – The $5 Million Secret." John shares his revolutionary 12-minute-a-day technique that has transformed the lives of business owners, executives, and high achievers. He helps us understand how the human mind works, including the conscious mind versus the unconscious mind. Tune in for an insightful interview. Don't forget to check out themissingsecret.org site
Episode 60: IRONMAN Mentality – Unleashing Your Champion Mindset, Drive Performance and Build Resiliency.
Join Dr. Bud Pygon as he interviews Dave Pygon, who conquered his first full IRONMAN—140.6 miles—on September 7th, 2025. Discover how to build resilience, drive performance, and embrace the challenge of doing hard things. This episode offers a deep dive into the IRONMAN lifestyle and its powerful strategies for real-world application. Don’t miss this insightful conversation that will inspire you to push your limits! "Anything is Possible"
In episode 59, Dave sits down with Abbey Murphy, a distinguished member and player of the USA Olympic Women’s Hockey Team and a 2022 silver medalist. Currently playing at the University of Minnesota, Abbey has an impressive list of accolades, including world championship medals in 2021 (silver), 2023 (gold), 2024 (silver), and 2025 (gold), as well as being a three-time member of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s Select Team.
Join Dave and Abbey as she shares her inspiring journey to becoming an Olympian, highlighting the special moments and challenges along the way. They will delve into themes of grit, resilience, and the importance of overcoming failure, all while reflecting on their shared roots of both "growing up" on Chicago’s South Side. This conversation promises to be both insightful and motivating, offering a glimpse into the dedication and passion that drive elite athletes.
In episode 58 , Dave interviews Laurette Rondenet, the Owner and CEO of Edlong, the only certified woman-owned flavor house that is at the forefront of innovation in dairy and dairy-free flavors for global food and beverage manufacturers.
Laurette is a highly respected business leader with accolades including induction into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, being named NAWBO Woman Business Owner of the Year, and recognition as one of Chicago Crain’s Notable Women in Manufacturing. Lastly, Laurette's podcast is "Owning Your Legacy."
Join Dave and Laurette as they engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the realities of life as a CEO, the journey of career growth, the challenges of making tough decisions, and the importance of owning your legacy.
In Episode 57, Dave presents a unique departure from the traditional interview format, focusing on the critical transition from summer to fall. This episode is designed to empower both individual contributors and leaders by providing actionable insights to enhance work, productivity, and performance as we approach the final four months of the year.
Join us for a concise yet impactful discussion that will equip you with a variety of strategies and ideas to optimize your efforts in the last four months of 2025. While this episode is shorter than usual, it promises to deliver valuable content that will inspire you to make the most of this pivotal time. Tune in and discover how to transform your approach and achieve your goals as we move into the fall season.
In episode 56, Dave sits down with Jeff Francis, Vice President of Sales at Orasis. Together, they explore the essential elements of defining high-performing teams and fostering a positive company culture. Jeff shares his insights on the delicate balance between meeting organizational needs and supporting the well-being of team members.
They discuss the importance of stacking experiences and aligning talented individuals around a shared vision to drive success. Join Dave and Jeff for an insightful conversation that offers valuable perspectives on leadership, teamwork, and the dynamics of a thriving workplace.
In episode 55, Dave has the pleasure of sitting down with Jaclyn Beattie, the Owner of Jaclyn Beattie Personal Styling. As a talented wardrobe stylist and designer, Jaclyn is dedicated to helping high-performing professionals look and feel their best. Based in Chicago, her business serves clients across the country, from New York to Miami, Dallas, and California, specializing in custom clothing for men.
Jaclyn has built her brand on the belief that what we wear tells our story before we even speak. Join Dave and Jaclyn as they explore the significance of dressing with a purpose, the importance of elevating our presence by how we dress, and the impact of being intentional with our wardrobe choices to support and elevate our best self.
Welcome to Episode 54 of the Win the 16 Podcast! Dave sits down with his first leadership mentor and still a friend, Tom Dooley, a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience across the globe. Tom's impressive career includes serving as President and General Manager for Alcon Japan, General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, and as an advisor to the Board of Directors at Visioneering Technologies. He was also the CEO and Owner of Cove Services and currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for One Man’s Treasure in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Join Dave and Tom as they delve into a captivating discussion on global leadership, career management, and the essential qualities of effective leadership. They will explore the importance of patience as a vital skill and share insights on leading people in today’s dynamic environment.
In Episode 53, Dave interviews Stefanie Dunsmore Schodrof, the founder and owner of Live Senseory. Stefanie's mission is to help organizations integrate well-being and foster a culture of health. In this episode, she discusses the concept of "tech-neck," shares three effective hacks to combat burnout, identifies the industries most affected by burnout, and highlights the symptoms leaders should be aware of. Join us for an insightful conversation on promoting wellness in the workplace!
Tune in for Episode 52 as Dave hosts two guests to the show—Missie Scheffman and Nick Rella.
Missie Scheffman, Director of Reimbursement at Astellas Pharma, is a nationally recognized speaker, conference chair, and proud ambassador club member of Win the 16.
Joining her is Nick Rella, a Healthcare Business Leader at Bausch + Lomb Pharma, an eleven-time nationally recognized leader with nearly three decades of experience in team leadership. A mastermind at building high-performance teams, Nick is also a “Win the 16” Advisor.
Together, they dive into topics such as the importance of investing in yourself, fostering a growth mindset, mastering the balance between likability and intelligence, embracing change agility, and more. Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring conversation!
In this week’s Episode 51, Dave interviews Crystal Petry, a Principal Consultant, Media Producer, and National Speaker. Crystal shares her valuable insights on public speaking, the importance of communication, and how patience can be developed as a learned behavior. She also discusses the concept of being a lifelong learner and the benefits it brings. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation!
In Episode 50, we celebrate our milestone 50th episode by welcoming back Dr. Bud Pygon, who interviews Dave Pygon about the past three years of the podcast, the launch of Pygon ONE Consulting, and the writing of his book, Win the 16: Principles and Strategies to Optimize Your Day. This episode is packed with valuable insights, including how to initiate and complete projects, the importance of spending time alone to reflect, leveraging your inner circle, and the significance of being bold and taking risks.
In Episode 49, Dave explores the keys to driving success and influence within sales organizations in his interview with David Sliman, CEO of Sales Proformance. They discuss the importance of being a lifelong learner, stacking your wins, the three stages of mastering a skill, and the concept of competing against yourself. Tune in for valuable insights that can elevate your sales game!
In Episode 48, Dave interviews Amber Fields, the Chief Culture Officer and Partner at trueU. With a background in leadership development, culture creation, sales, IT, and talent management, Amber brings valuable insights to the conversation. She will share effective strategies for engaging employees, measuring cultural effectiveness, celebrating milestones and achievements, and discussing the success profiles for employees.
In Episode 47, Dave sits down with Todd Zavodnick, the former CEO of Dermavant. With years of experience as a high-level executive both in the United States and internationally, Todd brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. In this episode, he shares his global perspectives, discusses +2 mindset and traits essential for successful leadership, explores the importance of your stakeholder network, and highlights emerging business trends for the future.
In this episode, Dave interviews Pete Schramm, Founder and CEO of Latitude. He has vast experiences included below are some of them:
- Author - Pathfinders Navigating Your Career Map with a Personal Board of Advisors
- Speaker
- Ex-Lockheed Martin manager
- Master's in Mechanical Engineering
- Basketball player
Dave and Pete will discuss managing your career, your teams and your own personal board of advisors.
https://golattitude.com/team/pete-schramm/
In today's episode, Dave sits down with Kyle Rooney, the president and a board of director at the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, a triathlete, and a professional leader. Together, they will explore topics such as mental toughness, overcoming failure, tackling challenging tasks, the Leadville 100 training run, and the mission of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation.
In today's episode, Dave sits down with Kyle VanDuser, the executive director at Cyprus Island Enterprises. Kyle is also the author of "Blue Collar Catholicism," a life coach, and a public speaker. The podcast delves into topics such as the seasons of life, distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable factors, and the importance of being a lifelong learner.
Dave interviews John Gotschall, owner of Coaching Financial. In this episode, Dave and John delve into financial coaching, what does a "good" coach look like and the coachable mindset.
In today's episode, Dave interviews Mike Roberts, a consulting partner at ERA. They will delve into financial matters for businesses, focusing on optimizing non-core expense areas, uncovering hidden cash, and collaborating with the C-suite.
Dave interviewed Paul Carlisle, Chief Operating Officer at Wintrust Financial. In this episode, they explore leadership development and experiences, the importance of taking action, and the value of being a lifelong learner.
Dave interviews Steven Shackleford, Vice-President Qualified Retirement Plans at INVST. This episode they discuss financial literacy, abundancy mindset vs. scarcity mindset, and building the "why" for your money.
Dave interviewed Shawn O'Neil, Chief Commercial Officer at ViaLase, and Christian Doucet, Owner of All Dry Services in Fort Worth, TX. In this discussion, they explore change agility, the circle of leadership, making bold decisions, career experiences, and the importance of developing people.
Episode 38 of the "Win the 16" podcast features an insightful interview with Anthony Wallace, VP and General Manager of Bausch and Lomb. In this episode, Dave and Anthony delve into topics such as leadership, decision-making, being uncomfortable, vulnerability, growth mindset and more.
Episode 37 of the "Win the 16" podcast is out today, featuring an insightful interview with Brooke Foley, CEO of Jayne Agency. In this episode, Dave and Brooke delve into topics such as branding, effective communication, Clarity University, and more. Brooke's impressive achievements include being named the 2020 Enterprising Woman of the Year, serving as a board member for Magdalene House Chicago, and contributing to Designed by US and UCAN Chicago. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and insights from Brooke Foley.
Dave interviews Jenn Drummond, who was recently interviewed on "Good Morning America," the author of "Break Proof," World Record Holder, CEO and founder Wealth Management, and podcast host. They discuss resiliency, handling challenges, success, mindset, and more.
Dave interviews Jeff Armstrong, life-long entrepreneur, business leader, and wellness advocate. Currently, he is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Cultivate Advisors. Lastly, Jeff is a HeartMath trainer, certified in the science of building resilience and creating flow. Today's podcast is titled, "Resilience, Flow and Change Agility."
Dave interviews Dr. Baker, Founder and CEO of the Business Hospital. They will discuss how to diagnose the health of a business and company.
Dave interviews H.B. Pierre Simon Jr, TEDx Speaker, best selling author, Vice President-Global Head of Marketing Sight Sciences, and more. They will be discussing one of his books, "The Flight of the Phoenix". Other topics will be NO-REGRETS, 3-2-1-0 theory, productivity, and controllable vs. uncontrollable.
Dave interviews Turp Ricketts, Vice President - Franchise Development at HorsePower Brands. They discuss owning a franchise, HorsePower Brands, taking a chance, discipline, and mental toughness.
Dave interviews LeeAnn Webster who is an attorney, ironman, professional speaker, coach, entrepreneur, and one woman show. LeeAnn will share her “No Regrets Formula”. Also, they will discuss resiliency, and how failure can lead to incredible things.
Dave interviewed attorney, and author, Lindsey Paige Markus to discuss estate planning, and her book, "A Gift for the Future." Lindsey was acknowledged by Crain's Chicago Business as notable women in Law (2020 and 2022).
Dave interviews Bryan Barham and they discuss the 12 Hour Challenge by Colin O'Brady, mindset, mental toughness, and Camp Happy.
Dave and Dr. Bud Pygon discuss leading teams, and people with "greatness". They share ideas to support high-quality leadership, and examples of people that demonstrate excellent leadership.
Dave interviews Tim Wright, Co-Founder and Chief Strategic Officer, Dome Audio. Also, he played on the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots team in 2015. Today's topics include leadership, technology, and purpose plus some NFL questions at the end.
Dave interviewed Steve Ramona, Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, Mentor, and Leader of "Pantheon". Steve's podcast, "Doing Business with a Servant's Heart" is ranked top 1% globally. Today's topic is serving others.
Dave and Bud discuss the topic, "BE YOU". They will share strategies, and ideas to help us be ourselves no matter the situation. Emotional intelligence, growth mindset, vulnerability, courageousness, and more will all come up in the conversation.
Dave interviewed Harvard Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, Frank Cespedes on Win the 16 podcast, which released today, September 27th. Frank has achieved numerous accomplishments, such as he owned his company, earned a Doctrine in Philosophy from Cornell, and authored six books, including his latest, "Sales Management That Works."
Dave interviews Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, Jeremy Kanne. They will discuss Jeremy’s unique background in marketing, engineering, and improv. Jeremy will share his expertise in marketing and the differences between fractional marketing vs. marketing agencies.
Dave and Bud discuss "What is Charisma?" Ideas and tips to be more Charismatic? How does Alter-Ego potentially help us?
Dave interviews Robyn Clark, founder and CEO of Winning Wise. They will be discussing how to thrive in your profession, and the best tips for growing yourself in your career.
Dave and Bud discuss your superpower and how to identify it and use it to your best ability.
Dave interviews Miles Boykin, Notre Dame graduate and currently playing in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They discuss the business side of professional sports and other interesting topics.
Dave will discuss the importance of taking risks. Why taking risks can be beneficial, why we don't and ways we can improve our risk taking ability.
Dave will be interviewed by Dr. Bud Pygon about his recently released book also titled, Win the 16.
DAVE interviewed Ken Scales, CEO, Scalesology. Topics discussed are:Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, and CHAPGPT.
Dave and Bud do some Spring clean-up. They will be discussing goals, routines, habits and grit.
Dave interviews Nic Weishar, co-founder of Yoke, a technology company to discuss small businesses and start-ups, amateur athletics, and the Weish4ever Foundation.
Dave will discuss the Topics of Remote and Hybrid work environments and he will also be interviewing Tyler Pygon, Senior Account Manager at CDW a Fortune 500 company.
Dave and Dr. Pygon will be discussing four different books to uniquely explore some of the principles and strategies of “Win the 16” to support our quest to be our “best” self.
Dave interviews Margie Owens Klotz, CEO of Owens Media on public speaking and offers tips to becoming a better public speaker.
On Episode 6 Dave will be talking about setting your New Years Goals and how proper grit, mindset, discipline, and creating habits will help you achieve those goals.
Episode 5 focuses on the aspects of a healthy lifestyle and how it can help you be you best, and "Win the 16".
Episode four - Dave and Bud will be discussing building trust, both as a leader and as an individual
How to spend more time in a growth mindset vs. fixed mindset. Tips to improve mental toughness and how happiness can help us all in optimizing our day and “Win the 16”.
Hear about the upcoming "Win the 16" Podcast launching on November 9, 2022.
Featuring Dave Pygon, President of Pygon ONE Consulting and his brother Dr. Bud Pygon, Anesthesiologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago.