Arizona Originals: Recent Episodes
Jason Isaak
Arizona Originals is the podcast focused on Arizona's leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from every walk of life. This podcast allows them to tell their own stories in an effort to inspire, teach, and give practical advice to listeners.
Our guest this week is Tom Van Dyke. He lives with his wife, Mary, on their ranch in the foothills of Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek, Arizona. He is the author of "A Cowboy Christmas: An American Tale" which received high praise from Elmore Leonard, Michael Blake, Don Collier, Marshall Trimble, Ken Rotcop, and so many others.
Tom created and wrote the American Bicentennial television public service announcements, "Stand Up and Be Counted", featuring John Denver, the most widely viewed national and international PSAs in the history of television.
His creative expression of writing and film production is shared with his creation of fine art. Tom's sculptures, paintings and photography have been exhibited or are in the permanent collections of the NY Museum of Modern Art, the Carnegie Art Institute, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Henry Ford Museum, the Cranbrook Academy of Art and the Butler Institute of American Art.
Tom shares his story and his thoughts on art, creativity, the West, and his love for the great American cowboy.
Our guest this week is Tom Smith, President of Wrap Technologies in Tempe, Arizona.
A graduate from both the University of Arizona (B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) and Northern Arizona University (Masters of Business Administration), Tom co-founded TASER International (now Axon Enterprise, Inc.) in 1993, and served as President of TASER until October 2006. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of TASER from October 2006 until he retired to pursue entrepreneurial activities in February 2012.
Tom shares his thoughts on a variety of subjects, including making the transition from a science-based college degree to a career focused on sales, lessons learned in the hiring process, and how losing a bet in college led to an experience that still influences him today.
Our guest this week is George Weisz, the President of Weisz Ventures and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Scottsdale Community Bank. A man of many interests and talents, George is a co-owner of two minor league baseball teams (proud affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks) and a partner in Majerle’s Sports Grill with former Phoenix Suns All-Star Dan Majerle. George is also a partner in a start-up technology firm dealing with superconductivity, and he has had interests in the film industry, bio-tech, and other ventures.
George’s public service includes serving as a respected Member of the Arizona House of Representatives (during which George was named one of the ten most effective legislators in the state), Deputy Chief of Staff to one Governor and Senior Advisor to a second Governor, Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Phoenix, and Special Agent investigating organized crime and corruption for four Attorneys General. George also served on an award-winning team of investigative reporters from across the nation probing one of the most heinous murders of our time.
In our conversation, we discuss George's passion for public service, the important lessons he learned from his father, his love for baseball, and so much more.
Our guest this week is Phil Boas, the editor of the editorial pages of The Arizona Republic. Before that, he was editor of The Republic’sSunday Viewpoints section and editor of its Community editorial pages. He joined The Republic in 1999. Before that, he was metro editor at The East Valley Tribune and a reporter at the Los Angeles Daily News. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is married with four children. He and his family live in Gilbert.
Phil's story keeps coming back to his love for Arizona, the lessons he learned from his father at the dinner table, and a deep rooted sense of community. You won't want to miss this!
Our guest this week is Chris Ronzio, the founder and CEO of Trainual, a leading SaaS company that helps fast-growing businesses automate their onboarding and training by documenting every process, policy, and procedure in one simple, searchable, teachable system.
After helping hundreds of entrepreneurs create scalable systems and processes with his consulting firm that he started in 2013, called Organize Chaos, Chris developed a passion for helping business leaders find the time to do more of what they love by providing a way to document and delegate what they do.
Rachel Mertensmeyer has long been captivated by understanding the consumer mindset and making people’s lives better with product innovation. She has a decade of marketing management experience in Fortune 100 companies including Unilever and Avon in New York and BBDO and WPP in Shanghai. Rachel’s first professional opportunity supported her entrepreneurial nature as she was tasked with the ground floor development of sales distribution in Eastern Asia for an American wine company.
In 2016, while living in New York City, Rachel experienced medical bill mayhem personally. This experience spurred her to apply her consumer product innovation background to create a better medical payments solution for patients. This is how RexPay was born in 2018.
As a leader, Rachel places great focus on creating a holistic, respectful and cooperative work environment for her team. On a more personal note, Rachel places a high value on physical health and wellbeing for herself and for those around her. In her free time, she can be found teaching yoga, trail running in the deserts of Arizona, or making time for her friends and family.
Our guest this week is Jamie Baxter, the co-founder and CEO of Qwick. He began learning computer programming in the second grade, and by the time he was 16, he started his first company. With the sale of two companies he started under his belt, along with 18 years in major roles with Willis Towers Watson, Jamie has begun his latest entrepreneurial venture here in Arizona.
Qwick connects food & beverage professionals who want on-demand work with businesses who need them. And in our conversation, Jamie discusses not only the origins of the business, but also his approach to leadership, team building, and thoughts about the future of work and the gig economy.
Our guest this week is Rick Smith - the founder of Axon, the company formerly known as TASER International. We have a broad ranging conversation where Rick shares his thoughts about everything from being a reluctant Harvard student to the differences between being a founder and a CEO to his new book, The End of Killing.
Our guest this week is Karen Rasmussen - the CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance - a non-profit public-private-partnership dedicated to bringing technology to the trucking industry in an effort to increase efficiency, compliance, and safety. With a career in transportation safety spanning more than 40 years, Karen has been a key player in all aspects of commercial vehicle operations, and has been part of that community here in Arizona since 2001 when she served as the President and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association. She became CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance in 2012 and has been there ever since.
This week our guest is Dr. Jeff Johnston who serves as the Chief Medical Examiner for the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner; a position he has held since 2013. He oversees the Office which provides all statutory forensic medical death investigations for the 4th-most populous and fastest growing county in the the United States.
Dr. Johnston holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Virginia and a Medical Doctorate from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He trained in Anatomic Pathology at the University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, home of the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Research Facility. He has subspecialty training in Forensic Pathology from the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office and is Board Certified by the American Board of Pathology in both Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology. He has performing Medical Examiner work for the public since 2002.
Our guest this week is Brig. Gen. Todd D. Canterbury - the Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. A true "Arizona Original", General Canterbury spent many of his formative years at Luke AFB where his fatheralso served as the commander.
General Canterbury entered the Air Force in May 1993 after graduating from Arizona State University ROTC in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology. General Canterbury’s assignments have been a mix of operational and training assignments. As an operational F-15E and MC-12 pilot he has logged over 650 combat hours and has participated in operations Northern Watch and Enduring Freedom. He has served as a weapons school Instructor, Thunderbird demonstration pilot, fighter squadron Commander, and wing Commander. He is a graduate of the National War College and a Command Pilot with more than 4,100 hours in the F-35A, F-15E, F-16 and MC-12W aircraft.
This week our guest is Brian Steele, CEO and Executive Director of City Help - also known as the Phoenix Dream Center - a nonprofit organization serving several populations we’ll discuss in the show, including victims of human trafficking. Brian has been with the Dream Center since its start in 2007 and oversees campuses across the state which house 800 people every night.
We appreciate Brian’s willingness to share his story - both the highs and lows. Additionally, Brian provides some incredible insights into building organizations and employing quality control measures to both help serve the community and grow the organization more effectively.
Our guest this week is Tom Espinoza, President and CEO of Raza Development Fund (RDF). Tom has over 45 years of experience that span the breadth of the public, private sector, and nonprofit spectrum. In 1998, he co-founded RDF; and is responsible for the overall strategy, performance, and management of the fund, which has grown into the largest Latino CDFI in the country.
Prior to founding RDF, Tom worked at UnidosUS (formally the National Council of La Raza), where he led the Office of Technical Assistance and Constituency Support. Additionally, he was the President & Chief Executive Officer of Chicanos Por La Causa where he provided capacity development during its early years, established funding strategies for various social, real estate community development projects, and advocated for the Latino community.
In our conversation, Tom shares his story and provides insights on how to build a quality team, how to balance activism and development, maintaining a healthy tension within an organization, thinking big, and everything in-between.
This week our guest is Steve Sossaman, who describes himself as the Major Domo at Sossaman Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Sossaman Farms, and Steve does an amazing job telling the story of the farm and explains how he approaches farming, family, and life. So, if you’re curious about gluten, innovation in agriculture, millennials in the workplace and marketplace, or incorporating variety and diversity into your work and life, you’ll want to listen to my conversation with Steve. Check out the Arizona Originals website for show notes and so much more. To reach us, email at contact@azoriginals.net
This week our guest is Jason Beck, the founder and owner of TYR Tactical located in Peoria, Arizona. TYR Tactical provides tactical gear to law enforcement and military all over the world and has seen consistent growth under Jason’s leadership. In our conversation, he provides a very frank description of his life growing up in an abusive home and discusses the individuals and experiences which have helped to shape him into who he is today. We cover his youth, his time in the US Marine Corps, his decade of work with the Gracie family at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and then into his current vocation which mixes his love of design and his passion for innovation and combative techniques.
This week we're joined by Ellen Pallestrant, South African-born writer and artist and filmmaker. She was educated in South Africa and Britain and immigrated with her family to the USA in 1987. Palestrant has been a writer, artist, creativity expert, game inventor, hydroponic farmer, special education teacher, television scriptwriter (adult documentary and children's animation), film producer, college instructor (English, Humanities, Creative Writing) and co-publisher of a college press.
Ellen discusses creativity, perfectionism, balancing the practical with the possible, and the importance of taking action and moving forward.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Conversations about Creativity
Ellen's Books and DVDs
This week our guest is Brian Mohr. He was a founding member of Jobing.com and later became director of talent strategy & acquisition for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Pei Wei Asian Diner restaurants until he joined forces with co-founder, Max Hansen, to create the first purpose-based leadership search firm, Y Scouts, in March of 2012.
In the summer of 2018, Brian joined the Arizona Chapter of Conscious Capitalism as its first President and still found time to co-author a book (Hiring on Purpose), do his own podcast (Built on Purpose), and spend time with family, friends, and regular visits to Orange Theory!
Brian provides insights on a wide range of topics from curiosity, to connecting with people, to developing a long-term focus and stakeholder mindset. There is something in this episode for everyone!
This week our guest is Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., a native of Coffeyville, Kansas. Today he serves as the Senior Pastor of the First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix, Arizona and has served there since July 1, 1977.
Dr. Stewart served as the first General Chairperson for ARIZONANS FOR A MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. STATE HOLIDAY which contributed significantly to the legislative passage of Arizona’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on September 21, 1989. Dr. Stewart also organized and led VICTORY TOGETHER, INC., a broad-based coalition that campaigned for a Martin Luther King, Jr./Civil Rights Day in Arizona which was won by a historic vote of the people in the general election on November 3, 1992.
In our conversation, Dr. Stewart shares the moments in his life which led him from Kansas to Arizona and in his role as a leader in civil rights efforts here and beyond Arizona’s border. We discuss everything from knowing when to say “no”, the attributes of servant leadership, overcoming personal challenges to pursue your calling, and much more.
This week is our final episode of Season 3 - thanks for being part of this fantastic community! Stay tuned for Season 4 which should launch in early 2019!
In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp. If you haven’t already listened to that episode, I encourage you to do so.
David was kind enough to share his thoughts on a variety of topics in short, topical episodes which we share intermittently. This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of navigating our passions with a focus on how self-awareness plays into the equation.
In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp. If you haven’t already listened to that episode, I encourage you to do so.
David was kind enough to share his thoughts on a variety of topics in short, topical episodes which we share intermittently. This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of preventing organizational paralysis, including how success can paralyze an organization.
In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp. If you haven’t already listened to that episode, I encourage you to do so.
This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of empowering and engaging employees. We touch on several issues including accountability, transparency, delegation, and tolerance for failure.
Also check out David's discussion about Demystifying Millennials from last season.
This week our guest is Mark Jacobs, the dean of Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. He came to ASU in the fall of 2003 from Swarthmore College, where he had held an endowed chair in biology and had been both chair of the Biology Department and associate provost of the College. He received his B.A. magna cum laude from Harvard in biology and earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University in biological sciences.
During his tenure at Barrett Honors College, Dean Jacobs has overseen tremendous growth, and during our conversation, he shares his story, the influences in his life, and his approach to leading and learning which influence the way he approaches his job and the students and culture at Barrett.
You will also want to be sure you have listened to our episode with Ambassador Barbara Barrett!
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
1491
This week our guest is Greg Peterson, founder of the Urban Farm in Phoenix. His mission is inspire people to embrace their own greenness,which he does daily by living what he speaks. He received his master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning (MUEP) in December 2006 from Arizona State University. His academic training has been augmented by 34 years of real world self-study, ownership of multiple businesses and a rich background in entrepreneurship, computer training, software development and management.
Our conversation covers everything from nurturing curiosity, finding passion, building community, engaging in lifelong learning, and creating a long-lasting impact in our communities. Greg's story engages and his enthusiasm inspires.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Urban Farm Podcast
Ocean Robbins
John Lee Dumas
Scott Murray
GrowPHX
Diet For A New America
Ishmael
This week our guest is Jonathan Keyser - the founder of Keyser…a commercial real estate firm in Scottsdale, AZ. Jonathan’s enthusiasm is unmistakable and you’ll benefit from hearing how this son of missionaries was driven to pursue success, but more importantly, how his views of success and wealth have evolved.
Jonathan discusses topics ranging from his views on:
- Developing a long-term, sustainable and successful business thru helping others,
- Developing resilience and patience,
- Identifying what gets in the way of living out our values,
- Pursuing intentional imbalance in your life.
And he also provides some insights into mindset and offers some great tools including the 30-day Positivity Challengeand the Everything Is A Gift Challenge.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Disruptive
Mindset
The Way of Mastery
Please follow the Arizona Originals podcast on these social media platforms: Instagram, Twitterand Facebook. And thanks to Beth Lewallen at Italicized Consulting for all her help getting our social media up and running…and be sure to follow her on Twitter!
This week our guest is Sharon Orlopp - formerly the SVP of Human Resources and Global Chief Diversity Officer for WalMart. Today, she is an author and continues her work as a leader in human resources for Core Scientific and Orangetheory Fitness. We cover a range of issues from mentoring, to the role of diversity in innovation, to proactive goal setting, to the lessons she learned from her parents and how her experiences as a child set her on a path to leadership within one of the largest retailers in the world.
She recently released "Standing Up After Saigon" which she co-wrote with Thuhang Tran. The book tells Tran's story of resilience, courage and survival as she faced polio and life in Saigon after its fall in the Vietnam War...and Sharon shares more detail about the book and how it came about in our conversation.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Standing Up After Saigon
Granite Mountain
Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park
Blockchain Revolution
The Story of Blockchain
Truth Machine
This week our guest is John Jennings - formerly the CEO of Safeguard Security, CEO of CQR Technologies and founder of QuickPass. A native Arizonan, John shares his story which took him from the early days of the security business to growing one of the larger businesses in the industry. He also discusses some important lessons learned from Jim Collins and how some counter-intuitive strategies led to tremendous growth for his company.
Additionally, John discusses the lessons learned transitioning a family business from one generation to the next, the value of making mistakes, the lessons learned from his work with Hospice of the Valley, and the difference between leadership and management. He covers that and so much more.
Please follow the Arizona Originals podcast on these social media platforms: Instagram, Twitterand Facebook. And thanks to Beth Lewallen at Italicized Consulting for all her help getting our social media up and running...and be sure to follow her on Twitter!
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Jim Collins
James Patterson's Michael Bennett books
Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp books
Homeland
Start-up Nation
This week our guest is Joshua Becker- bestselling author, blogger and popular speaker on the topic of minimalism. You won’t want to miss his story and his thoughts on everything from building a platform, navigating career change, determining what your "first filter" is, dealing with online trolls and haters, to building a team around you to make you your best.
He takes us on his journey from studying banking and finance, to attending seminary and becoming a minister, to a particular Saturday speaking with a neighbor who would be a catalyst for where Joshua is today. And if you have never thought about the topic of minimalism, this conversation will not only be a solid introduction, but will also be thought provoking.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
The Hope Effect
Simplify Magazine
Simple Money Magazine
The 80/20 Principle
Journey Church
The Good Place - NBC
The More of Less
Clutterfree with Kids
The Minimalist Home
This week our guest is Park Howell - founder of the Business of Story…and you also might know him from the ad agency he founded, Park & Co. This conversation is packed with great stories and very practical advice about how you can tell better stories to help you grow your business and your personal platform.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE SHOW:
The Business of Story
Park Howell's website
Save the Cat
The Hero With 1,000 Faces
Save the Cat Goes to the Movies
Origin Story: A Big History of Everything
The Business of Story podcast
What My TEDx Talk Taught Me About Storytelling
Park's TEDx talk
Ron Robertson is the co-founder and CEO of Picmonic, a revolutionary visual learning platform proven to help students master critical information and retain it longer.
Ron grew up in Show Low, Arizona and his journey takes him from the cool pines of Arizona to the beaches of San Diego, and then back to the University of Arizona for medical school. During his preparation for the US Medical Licensing Exam, his life took an interesting turn...and he tells that story which led to the founding of Picmonic.
In our conversation, Ron covers a variety of topics of interest to students, lifetime learners, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in improving yourself. He also makes a good case that everyone could benefit from knowing a great tattoo artist!
SELECT LINKS
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
Moonwalking with Einstein
Galvanize Phoenix Campus
Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman won a stunning upset victory at the 2000 Sydney games when she came from behind to break the American record and win the 200-meter butterfly. Recognized as a pioneer in the sport for her innovative underwater dolphin kick, she won 13 U.S. and five NCAA national titles.
Hyman is recognized as one of the most inspirational athletes of our time. Her knowledge of the sport, gained from two decades of competitive swimming for two of America’s top swim coaches, coupled with her friendly and encouraging personality, have made her one of the country’s leading swim instructors.
She is the former Senior Assistant Coach for the Arizona State University swimming program and offers personalized and private coaching at The Sanctuary Resort in Paradise Valley, AZ. She also hosts clinics and camps throughout the United States. As a motivational speaker, Hyman helps athletes, students, and corporations alike set and reach seemingly unattainable goals.
In this episode, Misty shares her story and discusses topics ranging from facing challenges, to finding balance, to surrendering to imperfection, and how she evaluates life and success.
Our guest is Russ Perry, the founder of Design Pickle - a subscription-based, on-demand graphic design service based in Scottsdale, AZ. Russ recently released his new book, The Sober Entrepreneur.
Russ is a 3rd generation Arizonan with roots in the historic Copper Triangle mining area. Our conversation not only covers his personal story, but includes insights on a wide range of issues affecting your personal and professional life. Russ also shares a powerful story about a Pepsi vending machine...you will not want to miss that story or the moral of that tale.
Find us at Arizona Originals!
This week our guest is Shiva Planjery - the co-founder and CEO of Codelucida, a Tucson-based company working to improve error-correction solutions for everything from flash drives to hard disk drives. Shiva shares his story which took him from the US to South Korea to India to Canada and, ultimately, to Tucson. He not only shares insights about life and work stemming from his formative years, but how they help inform how he approaches his life as an entrepreneur.
It’s another great story coming out of Tech Launch Arizona at the University of Arizona...I know you will learn from our conversation.
In Season 2 Episode 12, we spoke with David Kolbe, the CEO of Kolbe Corp. If you haven’t already listened to that episode, we encourage you to do so. David was kind enough to share his thoughts on a variety of topics in short, topical episodes which we will share intermittently over the coming months. This week we spend a few moments with David on the topic of millennials and the multi-generational workforce. He shares some common-sense insights which demystify what many make out to be complex and potentially counterproductive. Reach us at contact@azoriginals.net Check out what is happening at the AZ Chamber
This week our guest is Jordan Lancaster - the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Avery Therapeutics, a Tucson-based company working to solve the problem of heart tissue regeneration. Jordan comes from a long line of cardiologists and has found himself focused on the research side of the heart…and now is leading an entrepreneurial endeavor to bring scientific innovations to make the next leap forward in cardiac care.
Jordan, who cycled for the University of Arizona and rode his first El Tour de Tucson at the age of eight, discusses topics ranging from mentoring, to building a culture of teamwork, to bringing research into the entrepreneurial space.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Avery Therapeutics on LinkedIn
McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship - Eller College of Management - University of Arizona
Tech Launch Arizona
Zach Ferres podcast
Hickman's Family Farms podcast
Reach us at contact@azoriginals.net
Check out what is happening at the AZ Chamber
This week our guest is Mac Perlich - the president and publisher of ON Media Publications. Mac shares what I believe are two of the best life lessons we can all learn from and discusses her journey from nursing into publishing. I know you’ll enjoy her insights and her passion for everything she is involved with from publishing, to the Culture Pass program, to the Act One Foundation.
We cover a wide range of topics from how to develop meaningful and mutually-beneficial business relationships, to thoughts about retirement, and much more.
Follow us on our new social media channels - Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (thanks to Beth Lewellen for all her help on this)!
Joann MacMaster brought extensive background in entrepreneurship and startups to her position as the Director of Business Development for the University of Arizona's Tech Launch Arizona. In addition to having three successful exits (including one IPO) in private enterprise, she has served as Director of the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) technology business incubator, Program Director for the UA McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, and is a UA Academic Leadership Institute Fellow.
Among the many topics we cover, Joann discusses how to create a healthy corporate culture, mentorship and building mentor networks, and changes in the culture of entrepreneurship.
SELECT LINKS:
Art of the Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki
Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki
The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
The Rainforest - by Victor Hwang
Prescott College
Regulonix
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
John Phelps is the CEO and executive director of the State Bar of Arizona, an organization focused on improving the administration of justice and the competency, ethics, and professionalism of lawyers in Arizona.
John's introduction to Arizona came when his father was stationed at Ft. Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Ultimately, John became a second generation career Army officer where he also became an intelligence officer before pursuing a law degree from the University of Arizona and joining the US Army's JAG corps. Following his 25-year career in the Army, John served in the Arizona Office of Homeland Security, the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross, and as the chief of staff at the US General Services Administration.
John discusses topics ranging from the challenges of leading in a "zero-defect" environment, balancing "gut feelings" with data, leading in non-profits and government organizations, surrounding yourself with trusted advisers, and so much more.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Good to Great and the Social Sectors by Jim Collins
Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
We’re joined by three generations of leaders from Hickman’s Family Farms - Bill Hickman, Sr., Glenn Hickman, and Branden Hickman. Each one shares stories and insights I know you will enjoy and learn from.
They share some unique insights to being part of a family business, engaging with community, the importance of education, and how they approach changing production requirements in response to customer demands for products such as cage-free eggs.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Arizona's Future of Education Vision event on 12/12/17 (Glenn mentioned in the podcast)
Dirty Jobs w/ Mike Rowe at Hickman's Family Farms (Season 4, Episode 25)
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
David Kolbe - the CEO of Kolbe Corp - shares insights into how they help individuals and companies thrive, how leveraging technology can grow your audience and simultaneously reduce costs, and how seeking feedback from users can lead to new product offerings.
Additionally, David shares his story which takes him from Brophy College Prep to the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. After a brief stop on Capitol Hill, he returned to Arizona to attend law school at Arizona State University, practice law, and ultimately join Kolbe Corp.
David’s mother, Kathy Kolbe, founded Kolbe Corp in Phoenix in 1975. Kolbe Corp helps businesses and individuals identify, understand, apply, and leverage their unique instinctive strengths so they can be more productive and more fulfilled.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Wonderlic Personnel Test
Michael Hyatt podcast where he discusses the Kolbe A Index
Takes Two
5 Love Languages assessment
Elvis Costello
Rex Orange County
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
This week we talk with Zach Ferres - the CEO of Coplex, a startup accelerator focused on founders who are not coders. Zach grew up in Ohio and we talk about everything from leadership lessons he has learned from Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, to lessons he learned from his parents who instilled a strong, customer-centric work ethic. Zach shares his thoughts on coders being founders, lessons from sports, risk management, whether startups need business plans, the essentials of culture and emotional intelligence, and his love of gluten-free pancakes and Family Guy. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST Reebok Ragnar del Sol Zach's Entrepreneur Magazine article about poker Zach's Entrepreneur Magazine article about Coach Urban Meyer The Hard Thing About Hard Things - by Ben Horowitz Above The Line - by Urban Meyer Scaling Up - by Verne Harnish Launch Pad: Inside Y Combinator - by Randall Stross Family Guy Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
This week we talk with Max Hansen, the CEO of Y Scouts, a purpose-based executive recruiting firm. Max grew up in Glendale, Arizona and went to Northern Arizona University thinking football would be his future. He discusses that change in plan and what ultimately led him to the field of recruiting. Max covers a wide range of topics, including how to align purpose, values, leadership and culture within an organization and within your hiring process. He discusses being disruptive in the marketplace, connecting people and purpose, having an attitude of abundance, and winning the Gumball 3000. Also, be sure to check out Y Scouts co-founder Brian Mohr's own podcast - Built On Purpose - which takes a look at leaders in Arizona and beyond. SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST The Captain Class by Sam Walker Human Elements Arizona Chamber of Commerce contact@azoriginals.net
This week we talk with Justin Gray, the CEO and founder of LeadMD, co-founder of PaidSuite, co-owner of Greyson Organics (an organic farm in rural Missouri), and co-founder of Six Bricks.
Justin, who grew up in Fountain Hills and attended the University of Arizona, talks with us about his passion for entrepreneurship and modern-day marketing - topics he has written and spoken about extensively. Justin has been published over 300 times in industry publications and holds his own column, Tribal Knowledge in Inc., as well as featured contributor statuses with Entrepreneur and others.
We cover a wide range of topics including how he approaches writing (and why it is important for marketers to hone this skill), when should founders get out of the way, the importance of culture and values governing behavior, his views on unicorns and hiring, empathy, and the concept of 1+1=4.
Also, check out Justin's podcast - Driven & Co. - which examines guests' "unconventional roads to leadership." Great stuff!
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Connect with Justin: Email, Twitter, LinkedIn
Billions
Ear Hustle
S-Town
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
Todd Belfer is the managing partner of the venture capital firm Canal Partners. Todd shares his early entrepreneurial days when he bused fraternity and sorority students to Laughlin and later found himself founding software companies, restaurants (Ra Sushi Bar), and supplement and herbal tea companies. Today, he and his partners focus on helping entrepreneurs and founders, in a defined stage of their growth, flourish.
Todd touches on a number of topics of interest to founders, entrepreneurs, college students, and each one of us who have a passion for what we do. In fact, he really dissects the subject of "passion" and gives some great insights we can all learn from on that and many other topics.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
DeMello Spirituality Center
New Way Academy
Jiro Dreams of Sushi - Official Site
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
Ambassador Barbara Barrett joins us for this week's conversation. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Aerospace Corporation and as the CEO of Triple Creek Ranch. Ambassador Barrett has served as the US Ambassador to Finland, the Deputy Director of the Federal Aviation Administration, the President of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and the CEO of the American Management Association, just to mention a few.
Our conversation covers not only her story, but her passion for education, lifelong learning, problem solving, and leading through significant change and rebuilding of an organization. Ambassador Barrett discusses her passion for supporting the military, advocating for space exploration and aerospace, and giving back to the community. She also shares some poignant thoughts on legacy, influence and why she does not embrace the concept of a "bucket list" (and what she and her husband, Craig, use instead). Undoubtedly, you will benefit personally and professionally from what she has to say.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Fighter Country Foundation
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
contact@azoriginals.net
Heidi Jannenga is the president and co-founder of WebPT, a SaaS company providing support to physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
WebPT has been on the INC 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the US for five years straight and is one of Arizona's fastest growing companies.
Our conversation takes us from Heidi’s days playing basketball to finding her passion in the profession of physical therapy. She then explains how seeing a huge problem led to the creation of WebPT. We talk about corporate culture, engaging your customers, the fear of failure, generational issues, and so much more.
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WebPT
WebPT careers
hjannenga@webpt.com
WebPT's values
Conscious Capitalism
Special Episode with Michael Lorsch - Vision v. Behavior
Special Episode with Michael Lorsch - Overcoming Failure
Headspace
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
Email us at contact@azoriginals.net
Rising Strong - Brene Brown
This week Jeffrey Pruitt, founder and CEO of Tallwave, joins us for a fascinating conversation about his journey from accountancy to entrepreneurship and from "running through walls" to leading smarter.
An Arizona native, Jeffrey explores taking ideas to market, finding capitol for those ideas, and building a strong organization based on values and strategy. You will want to have your notebook ready for this conversation, especially as he talks practically about how Tallwave strives to be a friction-less workplace.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Jeffrey Pruitt on LinkedIn
Tallwave
Tallwave Capital
YPO
Camelback Mountain
12 Week Year by Brian Moran
The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Contact us at the podcast: contact@azoriginals.net
This week, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack returns for the second installment of our conversation. When she last joined us in Season One, we left her in Colorado, and today we hear the rest of the story.
In addition to her journey, Colleen addresses topics each of us can learn from. Those range from mentoring, to life-long learning, to taking risks, and finding balance in life. You will also want to hear her story about one particular cast of the show "Evita" and the lessons we can learn about excellence and accountability.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
ASU Gammage
Stadium 365
Built to Last
The Experience Economy
Bernstein Meets Broadway
Yes, Chef: A Memoir
Setting the Table
Noorderzon - Performing Arts Festival - Groningen
Traverse Theatre Edinburgh
Game of Thrones
Being Mary Jane
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
Email us at contact@azoriginals.net
Jason Pistillo is the president of the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona. Our conversation takes us from Jason building his first computer game at the age of eight, to becoming a network engineer at 21, to his 23-year career at UAT. He has been recognized as a leader in business and was most recently given the East Valley Institute Technology's "Sam and Olga Bender Award" for being a strong community partner over the past decade.
We cover a wide range of topics ranging from building a "fast, fun, friendly and smart" culture, instituting rigorous hiring practices, maintaining motivation and focus, investing in the community, and empowering staff. Jason also discusses why their culture of vulnerability among staff has made their team stronger, and so much more.
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University of Advancing Technology
Contact Jason via email
Ballet Arizona YouTube video
Valley Leadership
YPO
Leading Geeks by Paul Glen
Alignment For Success by Katherine Halpin
The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook by Peter Senge
S*** My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Contact us at the podcast: contact@azoriginals.net
Greg Head has spent most of his professional life in the world of software, including being part of the startup and growth stages of two major Arizona companies and as the chief marketing officer for Chandler-based Infusionsoft. Today, Greg consults founders and CEOs, curates Gregslist (an active list of Arizona-based software companies...over 300 strong), and has more projects and initiatives on the way.
In our conversation, Greg shares thoughts on not only marketing, but focus, intensity, scaling your business, Arizona's technology mindset, and what it means to transition your business from being ADD to OCD. You will want to take notes!
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Greg Head - LinkedIn
Greg Head Consulting
Gregslist
Clate Mask podcast interview
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Contact us at the podcast at contact@azoriginals.net
Our first guest of the new season is Brian Mueller - Chairman, President and CEO of Grand Canyon University. Our conversation begins in Milwaukee, WI where Brian grew up along with his parents and seven siblings. We then look at his years as a teacher and basketball coach and ultimately to his move into leading two major higher education institutions.
President Mueller discusses everything from finding purpose and passion to the importance of focusing on planning and preparation. He talks about the time in his life he received the best training for leading businesses, and discusses his decision checklist when it comes to running a publicly traded company. We also talk about partnerships, team building, and so much more.
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Grand Canyon University
_____________________________________________________________________
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Contact us at the podcast at contact@azoriginals.net
This week we are joined by Jackie Norton who is the president and CEO of The Rodel Foundation of Arizona. A native Arizonan, Jackie's career path has taken her from the private sector as a partner at the Gallagher & Kennedy law firm, to the public sector where she held several positions including the Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce for two governors, and in the non-profit space where she led the Arizona State University Foundation and now leads at Rodel.
Jackie shares valuable insights about how to become an effective leader though collaboration, focus, and discovering how to leverage assets. Her views on mentoring, lifelong learning, and vision for an organization will instruct and inspire you.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Interview with Shawn Linam
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
This week we are joined by Colleen Jennings-Roggensack who serves as the executive director of Arizona State University's Gammage and is ASU's Vice President for Cultural Affairs.
We recorded this episode just days after Colleen returned from the Tony Awards. She holds the distinction of being the only Arizonan who casts a ballot for the Tony Awards. And this year she celebrates both her 25th year leading the way at Gammage and the fact they have already sold out their 2017-18 season. Not to mention the fact she is responsible for bringing Hamilton to Arizona next year.
Colleen talks about life as a military brat in which she found herself living in 13 states and two countries before going to college. She recounts the influence her parents had on her and her siblings through the lens of "sacred texts" her parents taught them to live by.
In our brief conversation, we cover several issues related to leadership and personal growth...and we provide some teasers for an eventual Part II to this delightful conversation.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
ASU Gammage Beyond
Desert Botanical Garden
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
We all read books and hear inspirational speakers which motivate us to look at how we lead or run our organizations. But, often, the daily grind prevents us from actually taking action on those ideas.
This week we have a special, topical episode featuring Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni. Today, Michael discusses how to strategically do the hard work to implement ideas.
This week we speak with Jim Ward, the president and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. In addition to his role at the Symphony, Jim is also a Venture Partner in the venture capital firm, Alsop Louie Partners.
In our conversation, Jim takes us from his roots in Indiana to his first move to Arizona where he attended the Thunderbird School of Global Management. From there, his career took him to places he never expected and afforded him the opportunity to lead global marketing campaigns for Apple, Microsoft, and Nike. Jim was also recruited to oversee the global distribution and marketing of all of Lucasfilm's motion picture, television, and video properties...and develop the plan to launch Star Wars Episodes 1-3. In case he needed more to do, he was concurrently named the President of LucasArts where he oversaw the rebuilding of the video game company.
Jim talks about mentors (including his influential piano teacher, Ms. Breckenridge), building trust with clients, the importance of teams, how data influences marketing decisions, and explores the concept of "irreverence justified." You will enjoy the stories and learn from his perspectives on leading and innovating.
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Mind Over Music
B-Sharp Music Wellness
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
What happens when your organization drifts from its core mission? How do successful entities innovate and push the envelope while maintaining firm footing?
This week we have a special, topical episode featuring Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni. Today, Michael discusses the concept of strategic anchors and how organizations use them to make efficient and focused decisions.
Next week we will be back with our regular program where we talk with another Arizona Original! Please join us again next week.
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
This week's guest is Phil Potter, founder and CEO of The Armory Incubator - a non-profit with the mission of helping veterans launch and scale startups. Fast Company magazine listed The Armory as Arizona's contribution to its "United States of Innovation" special feature in the May, 2017 issue.
Phil earned his Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University and then received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Arizona State University. Phil shares what led to his decision to join the US Air Force where he received his commission and served for six years. Following his service in the Air Force, Phil returned to academia at ASU and found his way to an opportunity focusing on helping veterans seeking to become entrepreneurs.
Phil shares the early influences which led him to be an entrepreneur, in his own right, at an early age. From there, he discusses lessons learned from the Air Force, why it is good to be the "dumbest person in the room", identifying the context of leadership, his connection with the book Hillbilly Elegy, and much more.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Email Phil
Follow The Armory Incubator on Twitter
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
Today's guest is longtime Arizona radio personality Tim Hattrick. In our conversation, Tim tells stories about notable personalities he has worked with over the years, including his nearly three-decade partnership with Willy D. Loon (the Tim and Willy Show). At the beginning of 2017, Tim returned to the airwaves at KNIX 102.5 FM as a member of the morning show (the Tim, Ben and Brooke Show) after he encountered some unexpected twists and turns professionally.
Tim shares entertaining stories (including one about Glenn Beck you may not know) and valuable insights he has gained over his many years in the broadcasting booth. He touches on a number of topics including working with millennials, building rapport with a team, and pursuing your passions.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Connect with Tim via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
The Moth podcast
Arizona Storytellers on KJZZ
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
Today's guest, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, has served as a US Navy physician, was hand selected to serve for two years as one of three attending physicians for the US Congress (including the US Supreme Court Justices), and has practiced medicine in Arizona.
The son of political refugees from Syria, Dr. Jasser also founded the American Islamic Forum for Democracy and can often be found testifying before Congress and speaking at conferences and on television about issues related to terrorism, Islam, and democracy.
He shares his story about growing up in middle America and how his paternal grandfather, in particular, helped foster his passion for political, social and cultural change. He discusses the concepts of passion, hard work, and how to channel a strong competitive spirit in positive directions. And listen to the very end of the discussion where he shares some fascinating thoughts about having a sense of humor.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Reform This! - podcast hosted by Dr. Jasser
Dr. Jasser on Twitter (@DrZuhdiJasser)
Take Back Islam
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
This week, Dolan Ellis joins us to share his journey from a farm in Kansas, to landing a job at KOOL-TV in Phoenix, to winning a Grammy with The New Christy Minstrels, and then back to Arizona where he continued his career in music. The merging of his passion for Arizona, music, heritage, nature and photography has resulted in a diverse body of work spanning nearly six decades.
In 1966, then-Governor Sam Goddard approached Dolan and asked if he would be willing to be Arizona's official balladeer, and the first person in the country designated as such. The next 12 governors made the same designation, and this year marks Dolan's 51st year as Arizona's official balladeer.
In our conversation, we cover a number of topics relevant to entrepreneurs, artists, and people who simply love Arizona, including pursuing your passion, finding mentors, taking risks, and making time for contemplation. Dolan belies his age (82-years-old) and will enrich the way you think about Arizona.
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Dolan's Official Website
Arizona Folklore Preserve
Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
You will not want to miss our conversation with Glenn Williamson. Glenn serves as the Honorary Consul of Canada to Arizona, is the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council, is the chairman and CEO of EPCOR Water USA, and owns and operates Nest Ventures. But the list of titles and jobs does not end there. Glenn shares his passion for family and community involvement, and why he values his role as assistant Boy Scout leader.
Glenn holds nothing back as he shares his story which begins in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His journey takes him from a dysfunctional family, to military school, to becoming a wunderkind in the tourism industry, to finding great ups and downs in the entrepreneurial world, and ultimately to Arizona where he lives out his passion for building strong economies and strong families.
We cover a host of topics and he shares some remarkable insights into how he leads, how he views success and failure, how his mistakes got him hired to a remarkable job, and how he engages with his children. He imparts wisdom which will inspire and challenge you.
Arizona Originals Podcast Website
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
Co-founder and CEO of Qwaltec, Inc., Shawn Linam, shares the unique journey which led to her role as chief executive of an aerospace engineering company. As you hear her story, the idea of resilience emerges time and again as she recounts moving frequently as a young girl, struggling with math, and navigating the male-dominated engineering profession. But through it all, you will hear the constant refrain of hard work, finding your passion, and the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities.
Shawn has led Qwaltec from three employees (the original founders) in 2001 to 65 employees today. Her company provides support for manned and unmanned space flight programs for both government and private entities. She also plays an active role in the community where, among other things, she mentors young women and serves as the STEM Director for the Girls Rule Foundation.
Podcast Home Page
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Give us feedback via email - contact@azoriginals.net
This week's conversation with Joel Grimes ties together several subjects - entrepreneurship, art, passion, hard work, intuition, competition in the marketplace, and overcoming obstacles. Drawing upon his real world experience as an acclaimed photographer, who nearly gave up on his dream were it not for a college professor who encouraged him to move beyond a limitation some would consider a non-starter for a photographer, Joel shares marketplace insights relevant to everyone from CEOs to students.
Joel teaches classes all over the world related to lighting and photography, and he holds the distinction of being both one of Canon's Explorers of Light and one of Adobe Photoshop's Spotlight Artists. Additionally, he continues to work as a professional commercial photographer in Arizona and around the world.
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
Joel Grimes Photography & Joel Grimes Workshops
Ray Lamontagne
Kimber Lanning is the founder and executive director of Local First Arizona, a nonprofit that supports, promotes, and advocates for a strong local business community here in Arizona. In our conversation, Kimber shares how this passion for locally-grown businesses and her connection to "place" developed. Additionally, Kimber owns both Stinkweeds new and used record store and Modified Arts gallery and performance space.
Kimber discusses the foundations of Local First Arizona's mission, and explains how she engages with employees and communities/neighborhoods to advance that mission. Additionally, she discusses how she views entrepreneurship through the lens of hometown pride and connection to the individuals in your community and neighborhood. She also mentions several former podcast guests whose companies exemplify those locally grown businesses, such as Infusionsoft, U-Haul, Upward Projects, and PING.
Learn more about Arizona Originals at www.azoriginals.net
Give us feedback at: contact@azoriginals.net
Find out more about the Arizona Chamber at: www.azchamber.com
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST:
Older, Smaller, Better
kimber@localfirstaz.com
What happens when your organization or an individual or team within your organization fails?
This week we have a special, topical episode featuring Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni.
Today, Michael discusses the characteristics of both leaders and organizations who can push through failure and come out better on the other side. Past conversations with several guests, including Joe Shoen (U-Haul), Tom Sadvary (HonorHealth), and Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), touched on this subject, so we decided to pause and explore it further.
Next week we will be back with our regular program where we talk with another Arizona Original! Hope you join us again next week.
Check out the show notes on our website: Arizona Originals
Give us feedback at contact@azoriginals.net
SELECT LINKS FROM THE PODCAST
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
This week we have a special, topical episode featuring Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni. These special episodes - which will appear from time to time - address topics raised in prior podcast episodes and allows us to take a moment to dig a little deeper.
Today, Michael discusses the value of mentoring at all levels of an organization. Past conversations with several guests, including Dr. Mike Berens (TGen) and Courtney Klein (SEED SPOT), touched on this subject, so we decided to pause and explore it further. We even touch on the need for leaders to get honest input...an issue raised by Lauren Bailey (Upward Projects) just a few weeks ago.
Arizona Originals
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
This is the first of several conversations we have with Michael Lorsch, principal consultant for The Table Group which was founded by best selling author, speaker, and leadership guru Patrick Lencioni. Michael is based in Arizona.
This week Lauren Bailey, CEO of Upward Projects, joins us for a great conversation about entrepreneurship, being in the people business, collaboration, parenting, and so much more.
Lauren is a co-founder of Upward Projects - a locally focused group of restaurateurs in Phoenix. Their brands include Postino WineCafe, Joyride Taco House, Windsor/Churn and Federal Pizza. She serves on the boards of both Local First Arizona and the Entrepreneurs Organization, as well as serving as a steering committee member for Devour Phoenix. Additionally, she has received recognition for her accomplishments from such diverse entities as the Arizona Republic, the Phoenix Business Journal, the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame, and the Arizona Restaurant Association.
Today's guest, Tom Sadvary, has spent the past 30 years in various leadership roles at what is today HonorHealth, the second largest hospital system in Arizona. Since 2005, he has served as CEO of Scottsdale Healthcare which merged with John C. Lincoln Health Network to become HonorHealth.
Tom shares his professional story which begins with him riding in the back of ambulances as a paramedic in Pittsburgh. From there, his passion for leading hospital organizations ultimately brought him to Arizona. And in our conversation, he discusses the core lessons learned as a paramedic and how they have influenced his leadership style and the culture of HonorHealth.
Tom was recently recognized by Scottsdale Leadership with the (Herb) Drinkwater Leadership Award. The award is given to those who exemplify engagement, inclusion, connection, courage and stewardship. You will hear each of those areas discussed in our conversation and I know you will hear something to help you grow as a leader and as a person.
Today's guests are Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, the founders of Childhelp. Since 1959, Sara and Yvonne have dedicated themselves to caring for orphans and abused children in the US and around the world. Their story begins in 1950s Hollywood and takes us to Japan, Vietnam, and ultimately right here to Arizona when they relocated their headquarters here 22 years ago.
Our conversation demonstrates the passion and compassion Sara and Yvonne have for children, and how various events - many unexpected - over the course of their lives have shaped them as leaders and changed the lives of countless children. Their stories and wisdom will inspire and encourage you.
Today's guest is Denise Resnik - the founder and CEO of DRA Collective, co-founder of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), and founder and president/CEO of First Place AZ. The mother of an adult son on the autism spectrum, Denise has not only run her marketing and communications business, but she has dedicated herself to giving back to her community, including making Arizona a leader when it comes to supporting those affected by autism.
In our conversation, Denise covers a host of topics ranging from mentoring, the importance of pouring back into the community, why investors are attracted to vision and collaboration, and so much more.
Our guest this week is Tran Tran, founder and CEO of Axis Employment Services located in Phoenix, Arizona. Axis has been recognized time and time again as a top minority owned business and a top staffing agency in Arizona.
In our conversation, Tran shares her story about growing up in Saigon and how her family fled Vietnam just before the fall of Saigon in 1975. Within just a few months, her family settled in Arizona after a local dentist sponsored them. In addition to telling the stories surrounding her family's escape from Vietnam, Tran shares her insights on family, culture, leadership, delegation, building a team, and so much more.
This week, we're joined by Jim Scussel, co-founder of Four Peaks Brewing Company. A Phoenix native, Jim tells the story of how he moved around the country with his family and, ultimately, moved back to Arizona after one of his bosses did not give him a raise. His story proves you never know what events will set your life on a different trajectory.
Jim discusses many issues related to entrepreneurship, team building, the art and science of brewing beer, and much more.
This week's podcast features Jim Adkins - lead singer and lead guitarist for Jimmy Eat World. The band has been together since 1993 and has released nine albums, and they have always been based in Arizona.
Jim covers a wide range of topics:
- his definition of success and failure
- the evolution of gratitude especially with the smaller things in life (and on the road)
- utilizing outside perspective to help shape your work and art
- the difference between playing with the band a going on a solo tour
- and so much more...
CB Dollaway is a mixed martial artist currently fighting in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). CB came to Arizona when Arizona State University recruited him into their wresting program from Colby Community College (in Colby, Kansas) where he was an NJCAA Division I All-American Champion. In our conversation, CB talks about his unexpected journey from college, to corporate life, and ultimately to the UFC.
Today, in addition to being a professional athlete, CB has just opened his own training gym, DMA Life Club, and in the planning stages of starting a non-profit focused on veterans.
In our conversation, CB talks about life as both a wrestler and a mixed martial artist. He discusses how mental preparedness, attitude, strategy, and resilience have helped make him a world class fighter.
Jim Click, Jr. moved to Tucson in 1971 to turn around a struggling Ford dealership. Fast forward 45 years, and Jim Click has become one of Arizona's premiere car dealers and philanthropists. Jim has dealerships for Ford, Lincoln, Dodge, RAM, Chrysler, Jeep, Mazda, Nissan, Kia, and Hyundai in Tucson, Green Valley, and also in Orange County, CA.
In our conversation, Jim shares the story of how he ultimately began in the car business after growing up in Oklahoma and earning a business degree from Oklahoma State University (where he was a Scholastic All-American football player, captain of the football team, and made the Dean's Honor Roll every semester). Among other topics, he recounts the stories of how two men, Holmes Tuttle and Jim Click, Sr., influenced him at various stages of his life and taught him valuable lessons which serve him today.
This week our podcast features retired United States Air Force Brigadier General Ron Shoopman. In 2004, Ron assumed the role of president of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and continues to serve in the capacity as CEO of that organization. His diverse career accomplishments include serving as the wing commander of the 162nd Fighter Wing where he commanded the International F-16 Training Wing for the USAF. On the civilian side, Ron has worked for Gates Learjet Corporation, flew for Continental Airlines, and served as an instructor pilot and manager for Flight Safety International.
During our conversation, Ron shares his story and the lessons he has learned about leadership, accountability, collaboration, and how to encourage growth within organizations. He also shares his thoughts about how organizations can focus their efforts and not dilute their effectiveness by asking "what not to do." Throughout, Ron shares his lessons learned from both the private sector and military, and you will benefit from his insights.
This week, Lee Benson joins us on Arizona Originals. Lee is the CEO of Able Aerospace Services and also the CEO of Execute to Win. Able Aerospace Services is a leading maintenance, repair and operations provider of FAA-approved replacement parts, repairs, overhauls, and exchanges for aircraft. Execute to Win specializes in helping CEOs create an intentional culture within an organization to measurably and intentionally execute their strategy.
Lee talks about many issues including his approach to leadership, the importance of emotional energy, moving corporate values from words on office walls to behaviors your team lives out in an intentional culture, and so much more.
Our guest this week is Eileen Klein, the president of the Arizona Board of Regents. The Board of Regents provides leadership and guidance to Arizona’s three public universities – the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. In her role as president, Eileen oversees the entire $4 billion public university enterprise and gives leadership and guidance to the Board of Regents. Additionally, she heads the Enterprise Executive Committee which is made of of her and the three presidents of our public universities.
Prior to joining the Board, Eileen held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors. These include her service as chief of staff to Governor Janice K. Brewer and chief operating officer for Arizona Physicians IPA for UnitedHealthcare.
In our conversation, Eileen shares her story which took her from Alaska to Florida to Arizona. She discusses lessons she has learned about getting an education, building respect within organizations, managing and leading through tension, and becoming resilient. She also shares some important lessons she learned from former-Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Jake Flake when she served on his staff…and much, much more.
This week our conversation is with Craig Weiss, the Founder and CEO of Aladdin Dreamer - a technology company designing consumer technology allowing people to control their dreams (also known as "lucid dreaming"). Prior to founding Aladdin, Craig was the CEO of NJOY, the world's largest independent electronic cigarette and vaping company which is headquartered in Arizona.
Additionally, Craig is a patent attorney, a published author, an inventor with seven patents, an entrepreneur, and a frequent lecturer at ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business. He discusses the roles creativity, risk, and the value in getting comfortable with the inevitable failures and setbacks in business. He discusses the lessons learned while writing "I Am My Brother's Keeper" about the origins of the Israeli Air Force, and tells his story about transitioning from patent attorney, to hedge fund manager, to CEO, to entrepreneur.
Today's guest is Pam Slim - an award-winning author, speaker and business consultant who has a passion for career and organizational development. She spent the first 10 years in business as a consultant to large companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Charles Schwab and Cisco Systems, where she worked with thousands of executives, managers, and employees.
In the last 11 years, she helped hundreds of people to start and grow successful businesses. Through her online presence at Escape from Cubicle Nation, Pam developed and taught business building courses for thousands of entrepreneurs. In August, 2016, Pam opened K'é, a place to grow small business in downtown Mesa, Arizona.
Pam has written two books, Escape from Cubicle Nation and Body of Work: Finding the Thread That Ties Your Story Together. When you pick up Body of Work, you immediately notice the endorsements from some of the leading thinkers in business today: Brené Brown, Daniel Pink, Nancy Duarte and Seth Godin.
In our conversation, Pam covers a wide range of topics, including the value of being uncomfortable, the power of fear, the importance of thinking about your legacy, and how developing connectional intelligence can benefit both you and your business.
Our guest this week is Mike Nealy - he serves as the executive director of the Arizona Sports Foundation and the Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation which are community-based organizations who operate the Fiesta Bowl, the Cactus Bowl, and numerous community events across Arizona. A Minnesota native, Mike spent eight years with the Phoenix Coyotes and served as President and COO prior to joining the Fiesta Bowl. And before that, Mike spent four seasons with the Minnesota Wild and 14 years with the Deluxe Corporation. In our conversation, Mike shares his journey from Minnesota to Arizona and lessons he has learned along the way. He discusses the challenges of balancing work with family, how hard work today can lead to unexpected opportunities tomorrow, and the lesson of 212 degrees. He also discusses how he passes his principles and values on to his children and the importance of leading by example at work and at home.
Today's conversation is with Courtney Klein, co-founder and CEO of SEED SPOT. This year, Arizona State University honored Courtney as the “Young Alumni of the Year” and Arizona Economic News named her “One of Arizona’s most Influential Millennials.” In 2015, the Phoenix Business Journal named Courtney as one of the “Top 10 Business People of the Year” and in 2013 as one of the “25 Most Dynamic Women in Business.” She has also been recognized by media outlets as one of the nation’s “Top 30 Civic Leaders Under the Age of 30,” one of Arizona’s “35 Entrepreneurs Under 35,” one of “20 Women to Change Arizona by 2020,” and one of “Arizona’s Most Intriguing Chief Executives.”
In the podcast, Courtney shares her passion for people, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and dreaming. Among other topics, she tells the story of how she discovered her passion, how she chose to cultivate relationships instead of going for the quick dollar, and how having a mentor and being a mentor to others has shaped her professionally and personally.
In today's podcast, we talk to Clate Mask - co-founder and CEO of Infusionsoft. Clate was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, a Top 100 Small Business Influencer by Small Business Trends, one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2013 by Goldman Sachs, and Business Leader of the Year by the Arizona Technology Council.
In our conversation, Clate talks about the early years at Infusionsoft and how they developed their focus and clear vision to help small businesses. He discusses how he approaches personal and professional growth, and how he studies the characteristics of the CEOs of billion dollar companies and uses determined discipline to grow as a leader and grow his company. These topics, among others, will provide you with inspiration and motivation.
Today's podcast features Chris Callahan, the founding dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He also serves as the vice provost of ASU's Downtown Phoenix Campus, and is the CEO of Arizona PBS.
In our conversation, Chris shares from his experiences growing up the son of a New York City cop, studying journalism and working for the Associated Press, and then transitioning into higher education. Among other topics, he discusses the value of internships, the discipline of critical thinking, the critical impact a clear vision has on an organization, and how to clearly define and carry out culture in an organization.
This week we talk with John Solheim - the Chairman and CEO of PING. For over five decades, this family-owned manufacturing company has called Arizona home, and John recounts both their history and his path to leading the company.
In this podcast, John discusses many subjects, including:
- lessons learned in their Phoenix garage building the first Anser putters,
- how he balances his passion for engineering with his responsibilities as CEO,
- how technology and creativity influence design,
- his approach to succession in a family-owned business,
- his favorite life lesson from the game of golf,
- the importance of investing in the community and the military,
- and much, much more.
This week's podcast features Win Holden who has been the publisher of Arizona Highways magazine since 2000. Win has an extensive background in advertising, communications and publishing and had a distinguished career at a variety of firms including Moses Anshell (now Moses Inc.), MAC America Communications, Phillips-Ramsey Advertising and Public Relations, and Tatham-Laird and Kudner Advertising.
While we did not have the opportunity to discuss it on the podcast, Win has a passion for giving back to the community and has served in over 30 volunteer organizations in various capacities. These include, the Phoenix Pride Commission, the Fiesta Bowl, the Phoenix Citizens Transit Commission, and the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitor's Bureau, just to name a few.
In our conversation, Win discusses his journey from advertising to publishing, building a multi-generational team at Arizona Highways to meet the demands of its subscribers and readers of all ages from around the world while staying true to the decades-old mission and vision of this iconic magazine. We also get a great story and lessons learned from Win's involvement in developing the original concept for "Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean" with Linda Cobb, and much more.
This week's podcast features the Chairman and CEO of AMERCO, Joe Shoen. While AMERCO may not be a household name, it is the parent company to one of the most familiar brands in America - U-Haul. For the past 30 years, Joe has served as CEO and remains one of the most hands-on chief executives anywhere.
In our conversation, Joe discusses how his leadership style differs from the stereotypical Harvard MBA graduate, how he engages with customers to meet their needs, how owning a small business and working closely with small business has contributed to U-Haul's success, how he leverages his exhaustive travel schedule to improve internal and external relationships, and much more.
Gary Bender, who began his network sportscasting career in 1975 for the NFL on CBS doing play-by-play, shares his thoughts on hard work, the power of listening, the value of preparation, and explores the similarities between the qualities leaders share with sportscasters. Plus, he tells some amazing stories from his years covering some of the greatest athletes in the world.
Gary had an amazing career covering the NFL, college basketball, Major League Baseball, the Olympics, the NBA, and nearly 25 more sports on network television. Over the years, he worked alongside other notable sportscasters such as Johnny Unitas, Hank Stram, John Madden, Lynn Swann, Al Michaels, Bill Russell, and Bob Costas.
Dr. Michael Berens from TGen shares his story and provides insight into leading a world-class genetics research team. He speaks of the importance of mentoring, the value of family, the latest cutting edge genetics research going on at TGen, and much more.
Glenn Hamer is President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Here he discusses the mission of the Arizona Originals podcast and shares his story taking him from the Bronx to Arizona. He also shares his thoughts about leadership, management, building an organization, the value of internships and letting good people go from your organization.