Why do so many leaders struggle to let go? In this episode, Patrick Thean talks with Dan Crane, Founder of Crane Counsel, about the fear and mindset that keep CEOs holding on too tightly, and what happens when you finally trust your team to lead.
They also explore how bringing joy back into your work can transform not just your results, but your entire approach to leadership.
Culture doesn’t happen by accident; it’s built every day by what you tolerate and how you appreciate.
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success Podcast, Sean Farrell, CEO of QDS, Inc., joins Patrick Thean, co-founder of Rhythm Systems, to share how intentional leadership shapes culture from the inside out. From holding the line on standards to celebrating people in meaningful ways, Sean explains why every decision a leader makes sends a message to their team, their customers, and themselves.
Sean opens up about:
Why people pay attention to what you tolerate (and how that defines your culture)
How personalized, thoughtful recognition can be more impactful than cash bonuses
The power of consistency and authenticity in leading a growing organization
If you’re building a culture where people feel seen, valued, and accountable - this conversation will challenge and inspire how you lead.
When Shannon Coomes, started as an engineer, she never imagined she’d one day be leading one of the top fire protection companies in the country. As President of The Hill Group, Shannon shares how she built confidence in rooms where she was often the only woman, the lessons that shaped her leadership journey, and her advice for young women entering male-dominated fields.
In this conversation with The Journey to CEO Success host Patrick Thean, Shannon reminds us that leadership isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about staying grounded in your values, listening, and leading with curiosity.
Every leader faces moments where the path forward isn’t clear - inflection points that force us to choose between staying comfortable or stepping into something bigger.
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean sits down with Dominic Rapini, CEO of Queralt, Inc., to unpack how great leaders recognize these pivotal moments and act decisively even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
Dominic shares how he’s learned to leverage mistakes as accelerators, not setbacks, and why building a culture that learns fast and never repeats errors is one of the greatest competitive advantages a leader can create.
They discuss:
How to identify when it’s truly time to pivot, in your career or your business
Why waiting for perfect clarity is a trap
The mindset shift leaders must make around failure and experimentation
How purpose and long-term mission guide better decisions under pressure
Whether you’re navigating a personal crossroads or leading your team through one, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about timing, risk, and resilience.
If you could sit down with your younger self from 20 years ago, what would you say?
In this candid and insightful episode of The Journey to CEO Success, host Patrick Thean sits down with Bob Denison, President of Denison Yachting, to rewind the clock and unpack the mistakes, mindset shifts, and defining lessons that shaped his leadership journey.
Whether you're just starting your leadership journey or reflecting on your own 20-year rewind, Bob’s story is a powerful reminder that wisdom isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress.
On this episode of The Journey to CEO Success Podcast, Patrick Thean sat down with Greg Horejs, President of CAGE Civil Engineering, Inc., to talk about two themes that every leader should be thinking about.
This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about pushing harder; it’s about leading with intention.
Catch the episode on Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and YouTube.
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean sits down with Eric Schenker, CEO of Coolcore, to discuss how passion can fuel career success and why writing down your goals is a game-changer.
Eric shares his personal journey of aligning passion with purpose, lessons learned in leading Coolcore, and the discipline behind turning vision into action.
Whether you’re leading a team or charting your own path, this conversation will inspire you to connect what you love with what you do and commit your goals to writing to unlock your next level of success.
In this episode, Patrick sits down with Drew Golin, COO of DealerFLEX, to explore two powerful themes that have shaped his leadership journey: the importance of expressing gratitude to the people who influence our lives, and the lessons on teamwork and ownership carried over from sports into business.
Drew shares personal stories of mentors and teammates who left lasting marks on his life, and how simple acts of gratitude can strengthen relationships and inspire teams. He also unpacks the parallels between athletics and leadership, where accountability, trust, and shared goals define success.
Whether you’re leading a company or coaching a team, this conversation is a reminder that great execution isn’t just about strategy; it’s about people, connection, and ownership.
What role does passion really play in building a successful career and a fulfilling life?
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean sits down with Warren Johnson, CEO of Scribe-X, to explore how finding your true passion can shape your career path, fuel resilience, and drive long-term success. Warren shares his own journey of aligning purpose with work, why passion is more than just motivation, and how leaders can harness it to inspire their teams and elevate performance.
Whether you’re still searching for your “why” or looking to reignite your energy in your current role, this conversation will spark new ways of thinking about what truly drives success.
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean talks with Mike Whitehead, CEO of Intentional Leadership, about two powerful shifts that shaped his leadership: moving beyond dualistic “either/or” thinking and starting each day with gratitude.
Mike shares how letting go of rigid categories opened him up to feedback, new perspectives, and a deeper connection with others. He also explains how his simple morning gratitude practice has helped him stay centered, resilient, and joyful, even in the face of challenges.
Together, they dive into:
Why real breakthroughs start with being open to feedback, perspective, and blind spots
How non-dualistic thinking can expand your leadership and personal growth
The daily gratitude practice that grounds Mike’s leadership and brings clarity at the start of every day
This is a conversation about mindset, growth, and leading with intention, one that will inspire you to rethink how you show up as a leader and as a person.
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean sits down with Phil Buchy, CEO of Legion Brewing, to explore the values that have shaped his entrepreneurial path.
From embracing openness in leadership to prioritizing genuine human connection to staying rooted in passion through the highs and lows, Phil shares how these principles have fueled Legion Brewing’s growth and culture.
This candid conversation offers insights for leaders and entrepreneurs who want to build something lasting, lead with heart, and stay inspired in the face of challenges.
Listen now and learn how to infuse openness, connection, and passion into your own leadership journey.
Selling a business is one of the biggest decisions a founder will ever make, and it’s not just a financial one. In this episode, Kevon Saber, CEO of Legacy Outcomes, joins Patrick Thean to explore the emotional complexities that come with letting go of something you’ve built.
Together, they discuss how to avoid regret, stay rooted in your values, and navigate the deeply personal transition of selling a business. Whether you're thinking about an exit or simply preparing for the long game, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and hard-earned wisdom.
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Michael Grande, President & CEO of Vancord, joins Patrick Thean to explore what it really takes to lead through change, with patience, intentional progress, and a people-first mindset.
Michael shares hard-earned insights on:
If you're navigating change, building culture, or striving to grow as a leader, this episode will resonate.
Available now on Apple, iHeartRadio, and Spotify.
What does it take to lead a family business across five generations, and still keep growing?
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, I sit down with Adria and Aaron Bagshaw of WH Bagshaw, the oldest pin manufacturer in America, to talk about legacy, reinvention, and leadership through change.
We explore how they've navigated modern challenges while honoring 150+ years of history, and how they balance tradition with innovation to lead into the next era.
This one’s packed with wisdom for any leader focused on sustaining success while embracing the future.
From one embroidery machine to 1 million patches a day, Randy Carr, President & CEO of World Emblem™.shares how he scaled a family business into the world’s largest patch producer.
Listen as Melissa Verzwyvelt Saunders and I sit down with Randy Carr, CEO & President, World Emblem, the ‘World’s Largest Patch Producer’.
Randy took over his dad’s business in 1993 and grew the company from one embroidery machine to having the most embroidery machines in the world— 4,250 to be exact.
For over thirty years, World Emblem has been the “go-to” for emblems and patches for sports headwear, footwear, garments, and other apparel, with an output of 1 million emblems a day—50% of which are made and shipped on the same day. Customers include Cintas, Levi’s, Perry Ellis, among many others.
Want to become the brand your customers can’t live without?
It’s not just about what you sell - it’s how you make people feel. Join special guest John R. DiJulius III, Chief Revolution Officer at The The DiJulius Group, on the next episode of The Journey to CEO Success hosted by Patrick Thean. John reveals how world-class brands win loyalty for life by creating unforgettable customer experiences that make competitors irrelevant.
Listen as Melissa Saunders and I sit down with our guest, Manny Ohonme, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Samaritans Feet International. Manny grew up in Nigeria and received his very first pair of shoes at the age of nine from a stranger he calls a “Good Samaritan.” That moment sparked a journey that led to a college basketball scholarship in the U.S., a successful career in tech, and ultimately, a life devoted to service and impact.
In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean sits down with serial entrepreneur Colin Campbell, Founder of Startup Club, to explore the raw truth behind launching and growing multiple ventures. From crushing failures to successful exits, Colin shares the mindset shifts, hard-won lessons, and powerful frameworks that helped him start, scale, exit, and repeat. If you’ve ever wondered how to bounce back stronger and build smarter, this is a must-listen.
True leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about having the courage to face your fears. Pedro Cons, CEO of Adelante Healthcare, shares how embracing vulnerability became the key to building a confident, empowered team.
On this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean and Melissa Saunders sit down with Pedro Cons, CEO of Adelante Healthcare, to explore the power of vulnerability in leadership. Pedro opens up about the fears he had to overcome on his path to becoming a stronger, more intentional leader and how that transformation sparked a culture of trust, empowerment, and purpose across his organization. If you're a leader striving to grow through challenge and lead with authenticity, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
What if your greatest leadership strength isn’t control, but flexibility? In this episode, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry shares how adaptable leaders drive growth, clarity, and long-term success in an ever-changing world.
They explore how rigid leadership styles can limit growth, the importance of adapting to context, and how to balance outcomes with relationships. Kevin also reveals how small “speed bumps” in your routine can lead to greater clarity, joy, and long-term success.
From growing up on a Michigan farm to helping global leaders rethink how they lead, Kevin’s journey is packed with insight, humor, and practical takeaways.
Whether you're a seasoned CEO or just stepping into leadership, this episode is your reminder: flexibility isn’t weakness—it’s a strength.