Stood in the Gap: Recent Episodes
Derrin Slack
Success is not achievable alone. We all have a story of a person who took a risk, someone who imagined a life greater than what we could, someone who stood in the gap. This show shares those 'someones.' Those unsung heroes who pushed us when we could have settled for what is.
Stood in the Gap focuses on the journey of where leaders were before they achieved their goals. It's stories often left untold, yet those stories made the difference between giving up and pressing on. And in those moments, what made all the difference? The words said. Each leader on our show, shares what was said in their darkest moments, catapulting them out of the darkness and into who they are today.
What were those words? And why were they said? And more importantly what happened next. Join host Derrin Slack to find out.
Blake Behr grew up in a one-parent home. He knows how important it is for people to show up and show support for others. For Blake, one such person hit him with the cold, hard truth: were his problems the fault of others, or was some of it really on him?
That question changed his life trajectory. Now the President of Ridgeline Electrical Industries and as a leader, Blake puts ownership of his words and actions at the top of his list of priorities. Blake takes time to coach his employees everyday and invests in them as people as well as employees, all because he wants to be able to stand in the gap for them, just like many people did for him. Listen to his whole story to hear how that effort has proven to be more than worth the while.
In This Episode:
- [00:52] This/That with Blake
- [05:55] Blake’s story
- [10:07] Learning to take responsibility
- [12:53] How the words “maybe it’s on you” changed Blake’s trajectory
- [14:12] What inspired Blake to want to develop people
- [17:24] Problematic mindsets
- [20:50] Principles that define a leader
- [25:37] What keeps Blake up at night
- [27:13] Blake’s guiding principles
- [29:41] Why a leader needs to be empathetic
- [31:41] How to be a strong foundation for others
- [35:02] Blake’s advice to anyone struggling
Quotes From This Episode:
- “We’re all scared boys and girls inside of our own heads that need somebody to step into that gap, that need someone to say those words to overcome that one mindset that’s holding us back from greatness.”
- “Nobody gets pissed that a game isn't over yet. Nobody cares because there's a game. You enjoy the game. You enjoy the process. I feel like business is the only game where we are pissed off we're not already at the finishline.”
- “Get curious and lean into the danger.”
At the age of twelve, Bryan Brenner’s life turned upside down. Suddenly, his parents got divorced, the family filed for bankruptcy, and Bryan's father told him he had to be the man of the house.
For Bryan, it was a lesson in how impactful words can be in a negative way, as that sentence filled him with a sense of responsibility that he had no way of fulfilling. Still, Bryan believes some positive things came out of feeling like he needed to grow up fast, like starting a business early on and greater awareness of how he communicates with his family.
In this episode, Bryan talks about the need to be thoughtful about our own words and how we absorb the worlds of others.
In This Episode:
- [02:24] This/That with Bryan
- [04:12] Admitting when you’re wrong
- [06:43] Lessons learned growing up on a farm
- [07:45] What got Bryan into employee benefits
- [09:30] The importance of self-awareness and leading yourself
- [11:05] “What do I want my influence to be?”
- [13:34] Learning from past mistakes
- [16:04] The wrong words at the wrong time
- [22:02] “You can do anything you put your mind to.”
- [23:17] How Bryan’s parents shaped him as a parent
- [26:28] Words matter
Quotes From This Episode:
- “The more self-aware we are, the more vulnerable we can be, the more genuine we are, the better the outcomes.”
- “If a human being feels known for who they truly are and they feel loved in that, they can do just about anything and work through just about anything.”
- “Be careful with how you absorb other people’s words because often they don’t know how they might impact you and you have to be responsible for that yourself.”
“Help people because it’s the right thing to do.”
It’s a simple concept that has served Tony Mason well. As CEO and President of the Indianapolis Urban League, a community outreach program dedicated to helping minorities achieve social and economic equality, Tony lives those words every day.
As Tony admits, helping others is sometimes a thankless task, but he’s had others go to bat for him and believes we should all pay it forward. Listen to his full story to see what shaped him as a man, father, and community leader.
In This Episode:
- [02:22] This/That with Tony
- [04:38] Tony’s story
- [10:34] Where Tony’s work ethic comes from
- [12:57] Tony’s path to Indianapolis
- [16:30] Leading with your heart not your head
- [18:07] People who stood in the gap for Tony
- [22:16] Never assume you know what someone’s going through
- [25:30] Showing up and being vulnerable
- [31:03] “Help people because it’s the right thing to do”
- [32:17] What Tony wants people to know about him
- [33:26] Bring leaders together to achieve a common goal
- [35:21] Words of wisdom
Quotes From This Episode:
- “We’re not guaranteed in this life that every day is gonna be smooth. It doesn’t matter how strong your faith is. There are going to be challenges, and you’ve got to find a way through all of that. It forces you to be humble and open, and vulnerable.”
- “We have to work together to be the cavalry for our people and our community. No one is going to do that for us.”
- “If you think the cost of education is expensive, try the cost of ignorance.”
Kelli Jones is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Be Nimble Foundation, where the goal is to create a fully diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem. Kelli has been on the tech scene for years making her way to Be Nimble where she’s doing what she sees as her life’s work - putting money into the hands of black people to fix economic disparity. She knows it’s not gonna be easy, as she says, “it’s a marathon” but Kelli is more than ready for the fight.
In this episode Kelli shares how everything her Foundation does is about making an impact on people’s lives and changing systems that have been dysfunctional for far too long - something she’s wanted to do from a young age, and she’s just getting started.
In This Episode:
- [02:15] This/That with Kelli
- [03:51] Kelli’s life purpose
- [05:24] Why Kelli does what she does
- [06:34] Empowering others to change the world
- [11:56] Advice for those who haven’t found their passion
- [14:33] Self motivation driven by adversity
- [15:57] “This is a marathon” - solving generational trauma
- [16:46] Mutually beneficial partnerships
- [20:22] Working to put yourself out of business
- [21:47] Innovation starts with turning your brain on
- [25:24] Building things to improve people’s lives
- [27:23] Words of encouragement to fill in the gaps you see
- [29:20] What Kelli wants to clear up about herself
Eric Love is the Director of Staff Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Notre Dame, where he strives to create an environment in which people treat one another with dignity and respect, regardless of their views.
Coming from a biracial and bicultural family Eric always felt like he belonged both nowhere and everywhere but he found a way to make that work for him, literally. In fact, he says his work as a diversity educator started when he was a kid growing up in a place where people had often never met a black person before.
But just like many of us, there was a point when he felt like his job was an uphill battle and he was burnt out. And then Eric read a quote, “You can’t burn out if you’ve never been on fire.” And he realized he hadn’t actually given it his all, to hear about the different approaches he then took check out his full story.
In This Episode:
- [02:41] This/That with Eric
- [04:59] Growing up biracial and bicultural
- [08:45] Belonging everywhere and nowhere
- [13:05] Becoming a diversity educator
- [15:23] Advice for those struggling with feeling accepted
- [16:43] Those who have influenced and inspired Eric
- [19:42] Hiding depression and fighting to get out of it
- [23:52] The necessity of expressing emotions and feelings
- [28:05] The words that got Eric over his obstacles
- [32:30] The dangers of polarization and the importance of civility
- [35:11] Values that guide Eric
- [37:09] “Start from where you find yourself”
Quotes From This Episode:
- “God gives you everything you need for success. There’s always someone better looking, smarter, richer, stronger, but you have everything you need to accomplish what you want to accomplish.”
- “If you get an infection, if you don’t get help it’ll get worse. It’s the same with mental illness. If you’re not feeling well, go ask for help. It’s not a weakness, it's a strength to take care of yourself.”
- “We’re not all supposed to all agree on everything, but we have to disagree with dignity and respect.”
- “You have to start where you find yourself, if you’re inadequate you have to get stronger but you have to start where you are and build slowly and intentionally from there.”
Dave Neff is the Chief Revenue Officer at Prolific where he oversees new business development, partnerships and alliances. Before Prolific, Dave served as President and CEO of EDGE Mentoring for nearly six years – the nation’s largest, faith-based, whole-life intergenerational mentoring organization. At EDGE, he was reminded not to forget his own mission and that of the business.
While Dave speaks about this impactful moment, he also shares his struggle with Crohn's disease from an early age. To learn how this hardship strengthened him and helped him understand the power of reaching out to others, listen to the full story.
In This Episode:
- [01:19] – This/That played with Dave
- [02:50] – Being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease
- [05:41] – Overcoming challenges along the way
- [08:34] – Balancing work and life — making the most of it
- [10:28] – Knowing your organization’s core
- [13:37] – The danger of forgetting the mission
- [15:58] – People who stood by Dave’s side
- [17:02] – What guides Dave, keeps him grounded
- [19:27] – Advice for those struggling
Quotes From This Episode:
- “You have to have a natural work ethic to achieve success. At the same time, know that you can certainly impact outcomes and scenarios, but God's got to show up and bless it at the end of the day.”
- “Whether you lead a nonprofit or a business or even yourself, I think it's not that we need to be instructed as much as we need to be reminded to stay true.”
Wayne DeVeydt is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Surgery Partners, Inc and the former CEO. In his journey to senior leadership, Wayne constantly reminds others to be humble, selfless, and to use the gifts God has given you.
Wayne admits he grew up prideful and selfish, characteristics he still struggles with today. Only when his luxurious life disappeared did he pay attention to God’s calling.
In this episode, Derrin and Wayne get vulnerable about the difficulty of family and leadership journeys. Listen to his story and his advice to young people trying to accelerate their life and career.
In This Episode:
- [02:46] – This/That with Wayne
- [04:58] – Wayne’s pivotal moments
- [09:06] – A hero moment
- [14:13] – The danger of pride
- [15:38] – Your wife left you
- [21:25] – Wayne’s advice to those struggling
- [24:19] – How Wayne’s husband/father philosophy has evolved
- [27:02] – Overcoming selfishness
- [31:36] – Wayne’s leadership advice
“I believe in you.”
On the verge of quitting the family company, Seth Morales heard these words and took ownership of the situation. Before becoming CEO of the Morales Group, Seth was increasingly frustrated with how the company was being run.
In this episode, Seth shares how he changed the company to be something he believed in and what guiding principles helped him accomplish it.
In This Episode:
- [02:12] – This/That with Seth
- [03:52] – Seth joins the family business
- [05:45] – A pivotal moment in Seth’s career
- [11:15] – Following in his father’s footsteps
- [15:22] – Seth’s guiding principles
- [18:03] – Be open and authentic
- [21:43] – The impact of “I believe in you.”
- [23:11] – Mental health in leadership
- [25:52] – Seth’s career advice
Quotes From This Episode:
- “At a leadership level, there needs to be alignment and cohesion. If you don't have that type of cohesion then you can kiss having fun being part of an organization like that goodbye.”
- “I’ve learned you have to have radical candor. If you can't speak the truth, if you can't have some of these difficult conversations, it's really going to affect your relationships.”
- “As a leader, you're a firefighter. You have dark clouds you're always navigating around, problems and challenges, and you have to be cozy or comfortable with it.”
“You are doing what you were called to do.”
Joyce Irwin is the President and CEO of the Community Health Network Foundation, where she gives her time to those in need daily. Diagnosed with meningitis at an early age, Joyce understands the need for compassion and meeting people where they are in their times of need.
In this episode, Joyce shares how she discovered her calling. As you listen to her story of hope, resilience, and courage, pay attention to the ways you can identify the callings in your life.
In This Episode:
- [02:02] – This/That with Joyce
- [03:30] – Diagnosed with meningitis
- [06:30] – Becoming CEO of the Community Health Network Foundation
- [10:30] – Meeting George W. Bush
- [14:01] – Listening to what the world calls you to do
- [16:00] – How Joyce’s faith shapes her perspective
- [17:45] – Joyce’s career advice
Quotes From This Episode:
- “Sometimes, it's not the big things that trip us up. It's the little things that really make your world come crashing down.”
- “We are called to meet people where they're at, help them in their time of need, and be there for them.”
- “We need to be open, and we need to listen.”
“Life is always speaking to you.”
In this episode, Andrea Butcher, President of HRD Advisory Group, joins Derrin Slack for a conversation about leadership, listening, and honesty. As she shares her story, see if you can identify the way life might be speaking to you.
In her conversation with Derrin, Andrea references the Enneagram. To learn more about this, you can check out Andrea’s podcast, Being [at Work], and look for the Daily Dose Takeovers by Rachel Pritz.
In This Episode:
- [02:08] – This/That played with Andrea
- [03:30] – Andrea’s guardian angel
- [06:00] – Andrea’s leadership philosophy
- [09:58] – Overcoming failure
- [11:15] – Advice for self-discovery
- [14:00] – Having an accountability partner
- [15:14] – Andrea’s divorce and what it taught her
- [18:05] – Andrea’s guiding principles
Quotes From This Episode:
- “The greatest gift that you have to give others is you.”
- “Stop looking around and trying to emulate everyone else's leadership style. You’ve got to figure out your own leadership philosophy.”
- “Tell the truth about what's really going on with you.”
“Whether you think you can do something or not, you're right.”
In this episode, Marianne Glick, Board Chair of Eugene & Marilyn Glick Family Foundation joins Derrin Slack for a conversation about confidence.
Marianne experienced depression from an early age and has learned the power thoughts can have over you.
As she shares her story, you’ll learn how everybody faces a challenge, even if we can’t see it. Listen in as Marianne opens up about her personal relationships and how they affected her leadership journey.
In This Episode:
- [02:24] – This/That played with Marianne
- [04:03] – A day Marianne felt she couldn’t survive
- [06:03] – A moment that defined Marianne’s outlook on life
- [07:23] – The words that changed Marianne’s life
- [09:13] – What keeps Marianne passionate and grounded
- [11:31] – How she navigated sexism in the workplace
- [13:45] – The biggest challenge we face
- [14:50] – Marianne’s advice for overcoming obstacles
Quotes From This Episode:
- “Whatever we put our minds to and believe we can do, we can do it.”
- “Everybody deserves respect and deserves to be treated equally, fairly, and have opportunity.”
- “Everybody has some challenge that they're facing. We just may not know what that challenge is.”
“Whatever you do, do it with excellence.”
In this episode, Pam Ross of Central Indiana Community Foundation joins Derrin Slack for a conversation about excellence.
As a young wife and mother, Pam struggled not only with the challenges of raising a family, but also with the expectations she felt had been placed on her.
As she shares her story, you’ll hear how her grandmother influenced her approach to leadership, and the key to learning from every experience.
In This Episode:
- [01:41] – This/That played with Pam
- [04:54] – What moment made all the difference
- [09:13] – Pam’s greatest lesson
- [13:37] – What “love in the process” means to Pam
- [18:29] – Where Pam gets her philosophy
- [20:14] – The words that changed everything
- [24:50] – How Pam defines excellence
- [26:15] – Pam’s advice to aspiring leaders
Quotes From This Episode:
- “The essence of who you are has to be centered and grounded in love.”
- “What you see for yourself, you have to believe that you can actually have regardless of where you come from or what your circumstances have been.”
- “Mediocrity is unacceptable.”
“If it’s not a ‘Hell, yes!’, it’s a ‘Hell, no!’”
In this episode, Nikki Lewallen, CEO of Rainmakers, joins Derrin Slack for a conversation about knowing when to say “yes” and how to level up in every area of your life.
After two career shifts, multiple college degrees and lots of uncertainty, it took one engaged leader to set Nikki on the path towards becoming the entrepreneur and leader she is today.
As she shares her story, you’ll hear how saying “yes” to the right thing and finding the right mentors led to the foundational statement that guides her every day.
In This Episode:
- [03:00] – This/That played with Nikki
- [07:14] – Searching for the right fit
- [11:22] – The foundational statement that changed everything
- [16:33] – Nikki’s advice to aspiring leaders
Quotes From This Episode:
- “You have to take care of yourself first.”
- “Find mentors that are who you aspire to be.”
- “Work on something that scares you a little.”
“Remember those three minutes for the rest of your life.”
In this episode, Al White, Advisor for Corporate Responsibility and VP of The Lilly Foundation at Eli Lilly and Company, joins Derrin Slack for a conversation about breaking the cycle of crime and making the most of every opportunity.
Al’s father was a well-known drug dealer in Delaware, and his grandfather was murdered as a result of his involvement with organized crime. When Al was arrested before his senior year of highschool, it seemed he would follow the pattern.
As he shares his story, you’ll hear how he was given a second chance, and what he did next to take full advantage of it.
“Your dad just shot your mom; you’ve got to go back [to college].”
In this episode, Jimmie McMillian, Senior Corporate Counsel at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, joins Derrin Slack for a conversation about overcoming obstacles and leaving a legacy.
After failing out of college, Jimmie’s life changed forever when he found out his father shot his mother three times. As he sat in the hospital wondering if she would survive, he made a decision that would affect the rest of his life.
As he shares his story, you’ll hear what he did next, and why he continues to live every day with a desire to be great.
“We have no idea what you’re going through, but we will get you through this.”
As a sought-after author, speaker, and advisor, CJ McCLanahan has spent countless hours helping high-performing entrepreneurs and executives grow their businesses. Yet, despite tremendous success, he found his clients’ happiness and quality of life wasn’t increasing with their financial or professional growth.
Now, CJ is on a mission to inspire leaders to re-imagine success and focus on the things that really matter; living gratefully, and giving generously.
As CJ shares his story, you’ll hear the three fundamental concepts he lives by, and why he’s obsessed with inspiring greatness in others.
“You are in charge of your own destiny, make it your own.”
As a woman in business and leadership, Jenn Lisak Golding, Founder and CEO of Sapphire Strategy, knew she would face many obstacles. Thanks to the teaching and inspiration of trailblazers like her mother and aunt, she learned to keep going and find the right opportunities.
Despite pressure to pursue a prestigious title as a doctor or lawyer, Jenn knew the only way she would be happy and successful was to make her own destiny.
As she shares her story, you’ll hear how she learned to enforce balance between the work she loves and her family life.
Despite more than 20 years as a software product leader, Mike Reynolds, CEO of Innovatemap, wasn’t prepared for the loneliness he experienced when starting his digital product agency.
Yet, Mike received encouragement and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs who took the time to invest in a relationship with him. These informal mentorships taught him “relationships are all that matter,” a lesson that has permeated the culture of Innovatemap.
As he shares his story, you’ll hear how Mike learned to make relationships the priority both at work and at home, and the impact it’s had on his family and his company.
What’s holding you back from doing the thing you’ve always wanted?
Jim Brown, an advisor and angel investor for the Indianapolis tech community, joins the show, vulnerably sharing the biggest failure of his career.
On the heels of a failed business venture, someone stood in the gap for Jim, asking, “What are you waiting for?” Those words gave him the perspective he needed to work through the challenge and use the lessons he learned from his failure to mentor other entrepreneurs.
Jeb Banner, CEO of Boardable, joins the show for a conversation about entrepreneurship, what it means to lead without manipulation, and why he stood in the gap for host Derrin Slack.
How would you react if all you had worked for evaporated in a matter of days? Prior to Boardable, Jeb had started another business, and through sudden and painful circumstances he found himself out of the company wondering how he was going to take care of his growing family.
Yet, in his darkest moment, someone stood in the gap for him assuring him, “You’re going to be ok.” Those words gave Jeb the courage to press on through the challenge, laying the groundwork to help him stand in the gap for others.
Success is not achievable alone. We all have a story of a person who took a risk, someone who imagined a life greater than what we could, someone, who stood in the gap.
This show shares those 'someones.' Those unsung heroes who pushed us when we could have settled for what is.
Stood in the Gap focuses on the journey of where leaders were before they achieved their goals. It's stories often left untold, yet those stories made the difference between giving up and pressing on. And in those moments, what made all the difference? The words said. Each leader on the show shares what was said in their darkest moments, catapulting them out of the darkness and into who they are today.
What were those words? And why were they said? And more importantly what happened next. That's what we'll find out.