Jason Straughan is the CEO of Codeup, a career accelerator that uses an immersive approach to training software development to students with little to no prior programming experience.
Jason is the former CEO of Grok Interactive and continues to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Tech Bloc, is an active member in Vistage, a former board member of LaunchSA, a long-time member of Geekdom, TechStars Mentor, and a founding member of the San Antonio Web Developers Meetup.
He has invested in a few local startups including MassVenture and PCSg
Follow Me on Social Media:
Linkedin: https://www.
Instagram: https://www.
Facebook: https://www.
Website: https://
A former division football player for Baylor University, Baylor was selected as one of the Top 100 Keynote Speakers by Databird Research Journal and was named by the Dallas Convention and Visitors’ Bureau as one of the top 12 most influential African-Americans in Dallas, TX.
Baylor’s Social Media
Website: https://www.
Linkedin: https://www.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Instagram: https://www.
Facebook: https://www.
Cheri Garcia is the founder of Cornbread Hustle. On this episode, we'll discuss sobriety, mental health, and how Cheri transformed Cornbread Hustle into the leader in Second Chance hiring.
Full BIO: Cheri Garcia is the Founder of Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency for second chances. Cheri is passionate about helping people with criminal backgrounds and individuals in recovery find transformation through employment or entrepreneurship.
As someone who has re-invented her own life, Cheri wanted to create a company to help others do the same. Before starting Cornbread Hustle, Cheri found her first transformation and recovery through inventing a tanning bed and starting a career in the TV news industry.
She later found recovery a second time, but through faith and a sober lifestyle. With a strong background in marketing and PR, Cheri uses the skills she acquired to help individuals getting out of prison rebrand themselves to become the person they want to be and get noticed by the people they want to meet.
Social media links:
Twitter and IG: @Luminous_cheri
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherigarcia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheri.c.garcia
Jay Barnett is a former Pro Athlete turned Mental Health Expert, Speaker, and Bestselling Author.
On this episode, we’ll discuss:
✅ How to bounce back from depression and conquer anxiety
✅ Mental health strategies that prime you for success
✅ The mindset, habits, and behaviors that led Jay to the NFL
Connect with Jay:
https://www.instagram.com/kingjaybarnett/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/Kingyjaybarnett
Trevor Houston is the Host of the Who Ya Know - Job Networking Show. Ever wonder why whatever he touches seems to succeed? On this episode, we discuss:
✅ Trevor's habits, mindset, and behaviors that prime him for success
✅ Going from broken to the best version of yourself
✅ Trevor's keys to succeeding in business and life
✅ Social Media Strategies for 2021
Follow Trevor!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/
As Chief Marketing Officer, Susan Vitale is responsible for the iCIMS brand and driving company growth. Vitale joined iCIMS in 2005 and has helped build iCIMS to become the world’s leading talent cloud company that empowers organizations to attract, engage, hire, and advance the right talent.
Actively involved in the HR technology community, Vitale regularly speaks on talent best practices and technology trends. She built her career at iCIMS and is a member of several mentorship groups that provide career advice to young professionals, as well as communities of women leaders. Vitale has twice been recognized as a Stevie Award winner for Women in Business, was included on the Marketing Hall of Femme, and is one NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University.
On this episode, we discuss the iCIMS brand refresh journey.
Topics:
- Branding vs Marketing vs PR
- How to discover your brand identity
- Keys to refreshing your brand
- Empathy and continuous innovation
To learn more about iCIMS and iCIMS' Talent Cloud, a unified, AI-powered platform that empowers employers to attract, engage, hire, and advance the right talent that builds a diverse, winning workforce, visit www.icims.com
Connect with Susan:
Tracy Timm is a career strategist and human capital advisor. Her program, The Nth Degree® Academy, helps high-potential professionals discover their career “sweet spot” through a mix of self-discovery, tactical training, and some much-needed tough love. Tracy has a degree in behavioral psychology from Yale, a severely bruised ego from working on Wall Street, and has logged one trip around the entire globe. She believes that our unique purpose in life can be realized through our careers, and wants to help people come alive at work once again.
Tracy is the Author of the newly released book, Unstoppable: Discover Your True Value, Define Your Genius Zone, and Drive Your Dream Career.
Connect with Tracy:
Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Book
Victor Calabrese is the COO at Synetek Solutions, a managed IT solutions company. Earning his first C-Level role at 27 years old, he's possibly the most talent operations executive I've met. Victor has the uncanny ability to take the seed of a business idea, design a plan of action, and turn it into a thriving enterprise.
Victor and I met late 2018 at the Landmark Forum, a leadership development program. Within minutes of talking, I knew I had to get to know him better. He's a wealth of knowledge on various topics ranging from business to spirituality.
On this episode, we discuss:
- How failure leads to success
- Don't procrastinate and fail fast!
- Failure = Course Correction
- Conquering limiting beliefs
- Are you a Visionary or Integrator?
- Why it's ok to be #2
- How to access your true potential
Things we mentioned:
- Victor's wife's business that offers Luxury Customizable Sleepover Events
https://www.prettyteepees.com/
- Connected Mind
https://connectedmind.me/
Christian Lehingher, the CEO of Connected Mind, was previously on the podcast.
You can checkout our episode here: http://bit.ly/ChristianLehinger
- The Entrepreneurial Operating System
https://www.eosworldwide.com/
- Predictable Success by Les McKeown
https://amzn.to/3299Mr3
Connect with Victor:
Amilya Antonetti is one of the most sought after Human Behavior experts and Strategic Advisors in the world. Her deep “in the trenches” experience leading organizations in identifying “Why” a company exists and measuring it against “how” it and their people show up in the world is changing the way we "onboard" back to business, in 2020. For nearly 30 years she has successfully led companies through some of the most challenging succession planning, M&A, and crisis/change management work.
Amilya has been changing the game in the “relationship” between technology, business and people. She has successfully collaborated with some of the most high-profile clients in music, sports & entertainment, as well as served both entrepreneurial and fortune 500 clients. Genius Key is a system that aligns people's purpose + workflow together in training modules built for today's diverse and global workforce. Amilya is committed to providing leaders with the ability to understand and amplify their people so all companies can have what they need to better serve the individuals that make up a company, customers and communities they "all serve" for greater impact for all.
She has been featured in books, newspapers, and magazines People Magazine, Time, Forbes, Inc., Smart Money, and Entrepreneur. Amilya has also been named in “The 55 people you must meet” by Jack Canfield and has appeared as a regular business and behavior expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Steve Harvey Show and has been a contributor on News networks like Fox News & CNBC.
Take the Genius Key Today!
Connect with Amilya:
Website | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Christopher R. Manske, CFP® is owner and operator of Manske Wealth Management and the Author of the upcoming book, The Prepared Investor Manske owns one of the larger investment firms in Houston, managing almost half a billion dollars for individuals and institutions all over the world. Over his twenty-year investing career, he spent two of them as the Lead Financial Advisor to the University of Texas Employee Assistance Provider where he served a public and private population of over 100,000 people. Manske spent over a decade with Merrill Lynch where he was often recognized in the top fraction of 1% of investment professionals. He was selected to help train thousands of financial advisors across the country and he still offers his expertise in podcasts, radio shows, and various other media on a regular basis. Manske graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army before attending Rice University to get the Certified Financial Planner designation. Today, he leads a disciplined and well-credentialed team providing sophisticated wealth management and individualized investment advice. He and his team have been praised, published, or quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Financial Advisor Magazine, and many more. For more information, visit www.manskewealth.com
On this episode, we discuss:
- How to prepare financially for crisis
- Investing strategies that work for everyone
- Chris's keys to success in life and business
Connect with Chris:
Matt Cenca is a 28 year old self-made millionaire.
He is the Founder and CEO of BuyBackHub, a mobile device wholesale company, featured as #95 in INC Magazines 2020 list of Top 250 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in Texas.
On episode, we discuss:
- Matt's personal journey of success
- Matt's secrets to personal finance
- Why he doesn't read books
- Why he eats only once a day
- Why he started a business vs getting a job
Connect with Matt:
Steve Lucas is the Chief Executive Officer at iCIMS.
He brings nearly 25 years of extensive leadership experience in enterprise software to iCIMS, along with a proven track record of driving global expansion and innovation. Steve has held senior executive roles at global enterprise software organizations including Adobe, Marketo, SAP, Salesforce.com, and BusinessObjects. During Steve’s tenure as CEO of Marketo, he led a multi-year product expansion and growth strategy resulting in the acquisition of the company by Adobe in 2018, making it the largest acquisition in Adobe's history.
Steve holds a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Colorado, is a published author and serves on multiple philanthropic and education boards.
On this episode, we discuss:
- The NEW future of work and what that means for business leaders
- What businesses should do now to thrive in today's talent market
- Steve's best advice on success in life and business
- Keys to dealing with fear and adversity
- How to get unstuck in your career if you feel lost
- Using START, STOP, and CONTINUE to promote personal and business growth
- Why business is PERSONAL and all about people
Connect with Steve:
On this episode, Susan and I discuss how to increase employee engagement through meaningful alignment.
Susan Steinbrecher, an internationally acclaimed executive coach, speaker and author, is president and CEO of Steinbrecher And Associates, Inc. a management consulting firm that provides professional development services in the areas of executive coaching, group facilitation, and leadership training.
Susan is the co-author of Heart-Centered Leadership: Lead Well Live Well, and Roadmap to Success. She is also the author of Amazon best-seller, KENSHO: A Modern Awakening, Instigating Change in an Era of Global Renewal. Her newest book released in Spring of 2019 is, Meaningful Alignment: Mastering Emotionally Intelligent Interactions at Work and in Life, co-written with Robert Schaefer Ph.D.
Connect with Susan:
This episode is brought to you by Focusrite, the Interface Company who makes interfaces for recording podcasts, music, or any audio. If you are a new podcaster looking to start a show, or an experienced podcaster looking to level up your audio quality, I highly recommend you check them out! www.focusrite.com/podcasters
Becky Halstead, a retired Brigadier General, founded her own leader consultancy company, STEADFAST Leadership, following 27 years of service in the U.S. Army and one year as the Executive Director for Leader Development with Praevius Group, Inc. Becky specializes in inspirational and motivational speaking, developing leader training programs, leader coaching and mentoring. Becky has provided hundreds of keynote speeches and leadership training to the corporate and academic sectors at both national and international engagements.
Additional Accomplishments:
On this episode, we discuss the 5 Leadership Truths.
Contact:
Josh is an overcomer. He was a Blacksmith/Farrier for 7 years until he got kicked in the face and had to switch careers. He self-taught himself to code and landed a software developer job making $70K with no degree. Josh has had over a dozen side hustles and believes everyone should have their own side hustle.
Check out Josh's FREE download: 9 simple tips to improve your focus and willpower ==> https://www.joshkemp.net/julian
On this episode, Josh and I discuss the steps to build a profitable side hustle.
1. Find an opportunity
2. Don't take too much risk
3. Will it work? (validation)
4. Marketing
5. Take action
CONTACT:
Linkedin = http://linkedin.com/in/josh-kemp-a8982b50
Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/therealjoshkemp/
Website = https://www.joshkemp.net/
Mark Victor Hansen widely known as an inspirational and motivation speaker, trainer, author, serial entrepreneur. Perhaps best known as the founder and co-creator of the, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” Book series, which has sold more than 500 Million copies.
Crystal Dwyer Hansen is one of the leading success and wellness coaches in the country. She is the author of Skinny Life - The Secret to Being Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually Fit.
Together, Mark and Crystal have teamed up to co-author their NEW book, Ask! The Bridge from your Dreams to your Destiny: A self-help journey about learning the art and science of asking questions and how it can completely transform your life.
Checkout their new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Uhhds4
Contact:
Christian is a patented inventor, and serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience starting, building, and selling healthcare and IT companies that make an impact on people's lives. In his last company he and his team architected, and launched a system for quickly, and accurately assessing mental health conditions in the clinical setting. As of the end of 2015 the system had identified over 2,000 people with suicidal intent, and well over 100,000 people with mental health disorders. He is currently launching a tool called Connected Mind to save 10,000 people's lives, and identify 10,000,000 people suffering from mental health conditions. In his personal time Christian teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and works with disabled combat veterans.
On this episode, we discuss:
- Keys to Success: Be, Do, Have
- Using stillness to gain self-awareness
- How to get your life aligned so that EVERYTHING works
- SODA (Simplify, Optimize, Delegate, Automate)
- MORE Principle (Measure, Observe, Repeat, Evolve)
Yesterday was World Cancer Day. Join me for part 2 of my conversation with Tom Hulsey.
On this episode we discuss:
- Why men don't like to discuss health issues
- Symptoms of cancer
- Genetics vs Lifestyle
- The test you need to detect prostate cancer
Tom is an 11-time IRONMAN finisher and 6-time Mountainman Winter Triathlon finisher.
On his birthday in 2015, Tom heard these dreaded words from his doctor, “you have cancer.” The diagnosis sent him into a tailspin. Having lost his best friend to prostate cancer the year before, he was ready to quit, to not even try to fight the disease. Why is that important? At that time, Tom had completed nine IRONMANs. He is not a quitter, yet this bad news overwhelmed him.
What changed? Loved ones and friends gave Tom ways and reasons to live. One reason was to be around to walk his daughter down the aisle. The first step in his battle was to hold on to his winning mindset, to decide to live and inspire others no matter what their life challenges. After his cancer surgery, he set goals; these included 2 IRONMANs, one of which was the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. The IRONMAN is a 2.4. mile swim, followed by a 112 bike, followed by a 26.2 marathon – all in one day.
After completing his cancer recovery goals, Tom dedicated his life to helping others through philanthropy. He is a Board Member for Mary Crowley Cancer Research, Board Member for ZERO Cancer, Peer Reviewer & Mentor for the DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), and Patient & Caregiver Board Member at Cancer University. Tom use to volunteer at the Baylor Scott & White Cancer Health & Wellness Center; leading fitness classes for cancer patients (“beacon of hope”).
Tom was the recipient of the 2019 Lauren Beam Philanthropy Award at the New York University School of Professional Studies and the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport for his “dedication and contributions toward philanthropic efforts that resulted in significant, positive effects on the world of sports and beyond.”
Tom recently authored The Winning Mindset that Saved My Life. It is a great story and inspirational book. Tom applies the skills and attitudes required to compete in an IRONMAN to life’s struggles. He tells a great story of going from a self-absorbed athlete absorbed and almost arrogant about his health, to a man devoted to helping and inspiring others. Best of all; 100% of the net proceeds are being donated to cancer research. The book is rated 5 out of 5 Stars on Amazon.
Tom lives in Dallas with his wife Lauren. They have 2 married children and 3 grandchildren.
Connect with Tom:
My interview with Teladoc Founder and 12x Serial Entrepreneur, Michael Gorton. Needless to say, I was blown away by our conversation!
On this episode, we discuss:
- How to know if you’re an entrepreneur
- Lessons from building 12 companies
- “The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.”
- Pricing and valuing your business
- How to succeed as an entrepreneur
- How Michael defines a life well lived
- Is work life balance a myth?
- Michael’s daily routine for success
- How to increase self-awareness
- Ultimate keys to success in life and business
About Michael:
Michael Gorton is a 12-time Serial Entrepreneur and bestselling author with 35 years of experience building both public and private companies in the telecom, music, energy, healthcare, book publishing, aerospace and water remediation industries. Throughout his executive career, Michael has founded and led industry-changing companies, including Internet Global, Teladoc, Palo Duro Records, Principal Solar, Water Environmental Technology and Back To Space. Book Genius named his current book: Broken Handoff the #1 M&A Business book of 2019.
As CEO, Chairman, and Founder of Teladoc, Gorton created and led the healthcare services company that would go on to be named by MIT as one of the Top 50 Smartest Companies in the World in 2015. Teladoc is now the world’s leading telemedicine company with a $5 billion NYSE market cap. Following Teladoc, Gorton was the founding CEO of Principal Solar, a public company he led to become one of the thought leaders in the solar industry worldwide, that delivered nearly 400 megawatts of sustainable electricity, enough to run approximately 70,000 American homes. With Internet Global, he led the company from concept to the #1 ranked Internet provider in North Texas and the construction of the world’s first DSL network and one of the first national VOIP networks.
Gorton is currently a founding CEO of Back To Space, LLC (B2S), a for-profit company with not-for-profit benefits. B2S has four Apollo era astronauts on the team, including Buzz Aldrin, Walt Cunningham, Charlie Duke and Alfred Worden. The Company delivers a weekly Space News Flash, and is developing a TV show that has enlisted renown executive producers: Christopher Cowen (Apollo 13, The Decade Series, and Magnificent Desolation), and former Chairman of the Television Academy Hayma Washington (The Amazing Race, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and Naked Science).
Michael’s startups have created more than $6 billion in wealth. Michael holds a JD in Law from Texas A&M University School of Law, a BS in Engineering from Texas Tech University, and an MS in Physics from The University of Texas at Dallas. He has established his status as a Thought Leader and best-selling author through numerous awards, more than 20 white papers, 100+ articles, five novels and one business book on M&A transactions. His historic fiction novel Forefathers and Founding Fathers became an Amazon #1 best seller. Michael has run eighteen marathons, is working on his 3rd degree black belt in karate and has completed a 4,800-mile bicycle adventure across the US. He and his family have a goal of climbing the highest point of elevation in all 50 states. They have completed 41.
Michael's Books:
Broken Handoff: Saving Your Assets
https://amzn.to/2TOltzx
Forefathers and Founding Fathers
https://amzn.to/37lDJEr
YouTube: Back to Space
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHZ63YtVtdQDqLxKyTDmtmw
Contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gorton-9a3b2a14/
Tom is an 11-time IRONMAN finisher and 6-time Mountainman Winter Triathlon finisher.
On his birthday in 2015, Tom heard these dreaded words from his doctor, “you have cancer.” The diagnosis sent him into a tailspin. Having lost his best friend to prostate cancer the year before, he was ready to quit, to not even try to fight the disease. Why is that important? At that time, Tom had completed nine IRONMANs. He is not a quitter, yet this bad news overwhelmed him.
What changed? Loved ones and friends gave Tom ways and reasons to live. One reason was to be around to walk his daughter down the aisle. The first step in his battle was to hold on to his winning mindset, to decide to live and inspire others no matter what their life challenges. After his cancer surgery, he set goals; these included 2 IRONMANs, one of which was the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. The IRONMAN is a 2.4. mile swim, followed by a 112 bike, followed by a 26.2 marathon – all in one day.
After completing his cancer recovery goals, Tom dedicated his life to helping others through philanthropy. He is a Board Member for Mary Crowley Cancer Research, Board Member for ZERO Cancer, Peer Reviewer & Mentor for the DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), and Patient & Caregiver Board Member at Cancer University. Tom use to volunteer at the Baylor Scott & White Cancer Health & Wellness Center; leading fitness classes for cancer patients (“beacon of hope”).
Tom was the recipient of the 2019 Lauren Beam Philanthropy Award at the New York University School of Professional Studies and the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport for his “dedication and contributions toward philanthropic efforts that resulted in significant, positive effects on the world of sports and beyond.”
Tom recently authored The Winning Mindset that Saved My Life. It is a great story and inspirational book. Tom applies the skills and attitudes required to compete in an IRONMAN to life’s struggles. He tells a great story of going from a self-absorbed athlete absorbed and almost arrogant about his health, to a man devoted to helping and inspiring others. Best of all; 100% of the net proceeds are being donated to cancer research. The book is rated 5 out of 5 Stars on Amazon.
Tom lives in Dallas with his wife Lauren. They have 2 married children and 3 grandchildren.
Connect with Tom:
Peter Hart is the Co-founder and CEO of Austin Fraser, a technology staffing firm based in the UK, Germany, and the United States. On this episode, we discuss his keys to success in growing Austin Fraser to a $100 million dollar business.
Topics Include:
- Doing work you love and having fun
- Overcoming fear and embracing uncertainty
- Maintaining culture while growing
- Hiring: characteristics that predict success
- Implementing continuous improvement
- The importance of values (and how to discover them)
Connect with Peter: