In this Lead Better replay we had the opportunity to host Bryan Baldwin, a Chick-fil-A LDP participant whose journey is marked by grit, growth, and grace under pressure. Bryan opens up about what led him to pursue the Leadership Development Program, how his mindset has evolved over the past two years, and the pivotal moments that have shaped his leadership.
From navigating cross-country assignments while raising three kids, to making values-based decisions when opportunities and family priorities collide, Bryan shares real insights into what it truly takes to thrive in seasons of transition. He also unpacks the role of grit in his path from LDP to joining the Operator Coop, revealing the lessons that helped him stay grounded when everything around him was shifting.
If you’re preparing to apply for LDP—or simply want to grow as a leader in times of change—this conversation will challenge and equip you.
What happens when your team competes against Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for a once-in-a-lifetime NASA contract—and loses? For aerospace leader and author Andy Croker, that setback became a defining moment. In this episode, Andy takes us behind the scenes of the NASA Human Landing System project and into the emotional and professional turbulence that followed.
Rather than being defined by outcomes, Andy turned toward unconditional values—principles that outlast wins, losses, and titles. We unpack the five core values from his book The Unconditionals, explore how they anchor his life, and discover how leaders can build rockets and resilience.
From guiding high-stakes teams to inspiring parents and educators, Andy shares practical wisdom for anyone navigating disappointment, identity, or the relentless pace of success culture. His message is simple but powerful: true leadership isn’t about what you achieve—it’s about who you become when the mission changes.
Tune in for a conversation that blends aerospace innovation, personal conviction, and timeless leadership lessons.
What if the path to the top isn’t straight up—but sideways?
In this episode of The Pivot Experience, we sit down with Kathy Kirchner, Senior Vice President at Zayo, whose unconventional journey from small-town Montana to leading 11,000+ employees across global telecom giants is proof that success doesn’t follow a script.
Kathy opens up about her early years working three part-time jobs to pay off student loans, her unexpected pivot from music to telecommunications, and the mindset that fueled her rise through constant change. She shares raw insights on resilience, leading through disruption, and why saying “yes” to lateral opportunities can often be the boldest move a leader can make.
From launching Xfinity Mobile to reentering the workforce after retirement “just for the challenge,” Kathy’s story is a masterclass in curiosity, grit, and growth. Whether you’re navigating uncertainty, craving a career reset, or rethinking what leadership really looks like—this episode will remind you that your next big opportunity might not look like a promotion at all.
🎧 Listen now and get inspired to pivot with purpose, take risks that stretch you, and redefine what winning really means.
What makes a leader truly great—and why do so many fall short? In this episode of The Pivot Experience Podcast, we sit down with leadership expert, speaker, and mentor William C. Davis, author of How to Lead Without Just Managing and Building Genuine Relationships. With decades of experience spanning corporate, academic, military, and government sectors, William has studied the successes and failures of leaders to uncover what separates influence from authority.
Together, we explore today’s leadership crisis and why 78% of Americans believe we have a leadership problem. William shares the DNA of great leadership, how to identify future leaders in your organization, and the blind spots that hold even well-meaning leaders back. From navigating uncertainty and leading in the digital age to the power of servant leadership, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and actionable steps for anyone looking to lead with confidence, trust, and impact.
If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond managing and start truly leading, this episode will give you the playbook to inspire lasting change.
Everett O’Keefe, Wall Street Journal and USA Today #1 bestselling author, has helped leaders publish over 200 bestselling books. In this episode, he unpacks why publishing is one of the most powerful ways to amplify influence, safeguard your message, and build a lasting legacy.
🔥 Why Listen:
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, this conversation will spark inspiration and show you where to begin.
What does it take to turn setbacks into strengths, and positivity into measurable performance? In this episode of The Pivot Experience Podcast, we sit down with Alfredo Borodowski, a seasoned leadership coach who has guided executives for over 30 years. Alfredo’s journey includes both high-level successes and a deeply personal public setback that reshaped his approach to resilience, leadership, and legacy.
Together, we explore how positive psychology can drive results in high-stakes environments, why adaptability is the hidden engine of sustainable culture, and how leaders can practically apply Alfredo’s powerful equation: Positivity + Purpose = Peak Performance.
From reframing challenges as growth opportunities to creating cultures where setbacks become launching pads for innovation, Alfredo brings actionable wisdom for leaders navigating uncertainty. Whether you’re leading a team under pressure or building a resilient organization for the long run, this conversation will give you fresh tools, deep insights, and one final challenge to strengthen your leadership journey.
n Part 1, we heard how Joseph Martinez, guided by his coach Javonna Roach, laid the foundation for his Chick-fil-A LDP journey through intentional actions and mindset shifts.
Now in Part 2, the conversation goes deeper—into the advanced coaching process, the tough growth moments, and the strategies that ultimately helped Joseph secure his spot in the Leadership Development Program.
💡 In this session you’ll discover:
• The coaching process that made the biggest difference
• How Joseph pushed through barriers and refined his leadership
• Practical strategies to position yourself (or others) for LDP success
🚀 If Part 1 showed you the starting line, Part 2 reveals the finish line—and the lessons learned along the way.
What does it really take to move from potential to placement in a Leadership Development Program (LDP)?
In Part 1 of this exclusive conversation, Joseph Martinez and his coach Javonna Roach dive into the first steps of his journey—unpacking the intentional actions and mindset shifts that set the stage for LDP success.
💡 In this session you’ll learn:
How Joseph began identifying and closing leadership gaps
Early coaching insights that shaped his growth
The foundational mindset shifts that prepared him for what was next
🚀 Don’t miss this powerful beginning—Part 2 will take the conversation even deeper
Turning Adversity Into Advantage with Hanna Bauer
In this episode of The Pivot Experience Podcast, we sit down with Hanna Bauer, CEO of HEARTnomics Enterprises, to explore how leaders can transform adversity into a catalyst for resilience and sustainable success.
Building on themes from our recent conversation with Will Taylor about resilience, Hanna takes us deeper into the connection between daily habits, strong culture, and organizational well-being. She shares how her mission at HEARTnomics is helping companies evolve into resilient powerhouses by aligning values, mission, and systems for real impact.
Drawing from her hands-on experience with the Baldrige Excellence model, John Maxwell’s leadership principles, and Lean Six Sigma, Hanna provides practical strategies leaders can use to turn challenges into growth opportunities. Her insights reveal how organizations can nurture their people without sacrificing results or profitability—and why resilience is more than survival; it’s about creating the conditions for teams to truly thrive.
If you’re a leader navigating turbulent times and looking for ways to strengthen your team’s culture, communication, and fulfillment, this conversation is packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways.
What does it take to lead one of the nation’s most trusted nonprofit service organizations through exponential growth while staying rooted in mission and integrity? In this episode of The Pivot Experience Podcast, we sit down with Howard Pearl, CEO of CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services).
With over 30 years in the C-suite and a Harvard Business School OPM background, Howard has steered CARS into becoming a powerhouse in nonprofit support—returning over $600 million to more than 10,000 partners, from grassroots community groups to household names like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Under his leadership, CARS has expanded into real estate gifts, launched “On the Go” senior transportation services across 25 states, and earned both ISO 9001 certification and the 2024 BBB Torch Award for Ethics.
In this conversation, Howard unpacks the leadership principles that have guided high-stakes decisions, the role of innovation in expanding services, and the practical lessons nonprofits can adopt to create sustainable funding models. He also shares insights on cultivating a culture of trust, building scalable relationships, and balancing strategic growth with a deep heart for service.
If you’re a nonprofit leader, executive, or simply someone passionate about how values-driven leadership can transform communities, this episode offers invaluable takeaways.
In this power-packed episode, Godwin Ukaa joins Alex, Javonna, Ashley, Neftali, and Abram to share practical leadership wisdom rooted in his experience with LDP and years of developing others.
🔑 Top Takeaways
Self-leadership drives team leadership: Use weekly rhythms, focused calendars, and essentialism to stay sharp.
“Basket to bucket” development: Build trust by giving small responsibilities before big ones.
Coach or Correct: Feedback isn’t about being nice—it’s about being clear and kind.
Teach it, then let them teach it: True leadership development comes through duplication.
Trust is everything: Without it, vision and execution fall apart.
⚡ Bonus Highlight
Godwin’s “Tug of War” leadership choices—Empathy vs. Accountability, Innovation vs. Consistency—will challenge how you think about growth and culture.
🎧 Listen now to get re-centered on what matters most: leading yourself well so you can lead others better.
In this episode of The Pivot Experience, we sit down with Jamie Schwartzman, Chief Creative Strategist of Flux Branding, whose 25-year journey in branding is a masterclass in identity-driven leadership. Jamie has helped companies transform confusion into clarity—not through flashy marketing tactics, but by uncovering the soul of a brand and expressing it with integrity.
Jamie shares how his signature IDEA Method has guided organizations through pivotal seasons, helping them find their voice, align their values, and create lasting impact. His approach to branding mirrors the same grace-based leadership that The Pivot Experience stands for—one rooted in authenticity, understanding, and transformation.
In this conversation, you’ll hear Jamie unpack:
Why every brand is a leadership story waiting to be told
How clarity of identity drives business success
The connection between grace, growth, and great branding
Whether you're a founder, creative, or leader in transition, Jamie's insights will inspire you to lead with purpose and build something that truly matters.
🎧 Listen now and discover how branding, when done with heart, becomes one of the most powerful tools in leadership.
In this episode, we sit down with Ernesto J. Gómez, former VP of Human Capital at Grupo Alfa, where he led leadership development and people strategy across a workforce of 83,000. With a career spanning executive operations and people-first transformation at billion-dollar enterprises, Ernesto brings a rare blend of operational grit and human-centered leadership.We dive into his groundbreaking book, Regrowth, which unpacks how businesses can overcome stagnation by reigniting growth through their people. Ernesto shares actionable insights on leadership alignment, organizational mindset, and how to turn human capital into your company’s greatest growth engine.💡 Whether you’re scaling a team or recalibrating culture, this conversation offers a playbook for growing not just your business—but your people.“Regrowth delivers an insightful recipe for leaders to not just grow their businesses, but also to grow their most valuable asset – their people.” – Brian Myers, Founder, Curvejumper; Former Senior Managing Director, Accenture
Resilient leadership isn’t just about weathering the storm — it’s about growing stronger because of it.
In Part 2 of our Lead Better conversation with Chick-fil-A Operator Will Taylor, we dive deeper into the rhythms, mindsets, and habits that help leaders and teams bounce back better. Will shares how he’s built a culture that doesn’t just survive adversity, but thrives through it.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Daily habits that build long-term resilience
• How to support your team emotionally and strategically through tough seasons
• Why your personal well-being is essential to sustainable leadership
• How resilience impacts both performance and people development
If you’re looking to lead with more grit, grace, and groundedness — this is the episode for you.
In today’s fast-paced world, great leadership isn’t just about making smart decisions — it’s about having the stamina to keep going when the pressure is on.In this first part of our powerful Lead Better conversation, we sit down with Chick-fil-A Operator Will Taylor to explore what it really takes to lead with resilience. From navigating uncertainty to modeling strength without burnout, Will brings candid, real-world insights from the front lines of leadership.What you’ll hear in Part 1:How to stay steady when everything feels uncertainThe power of authentic resilience in leadershipPractical ways to lead well in high-pressure momentsWhether you're facing a season of challenge or preparing your team for what’s ahead, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and tools to help you lead better — no matter what comes your way.
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Michelle Griffin — CEO of Griffin Resources and a powerhouse in people leadership and organizational development. With a doctorate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and a thriving HR firm under her leadership, Dr. Griffin brings a unique blend of insight, empathy, and execution to the table.
We talk about what it means to grow something meaningful — from the inside out. From building high-performing teams to leading through uncertainty, Dr. Griffin shares the hard-earned wisdom that only comes from walking the path of leadership at every level.
This conversation is for anyone who’s passionate about people, purpose, and long-term growth.
If you lead people — or want to lead better — this one’s for you.
What if you could pitch your next big idea with the clarity and conviction of a product launch from Amazon?
In this episode, I sit down with Marcelo Calbucci—startup veteran and author of The PRFAQ Framework—to unpack one of the most transformative tools for innovators: the Press Release + Frequently Asked Questions (PRFAQ) method.
Rooted in Amazon’s famed “Working Backwards” approach, Marcelo’s framework helps product leaders, founders, and creatives craft narratives that start with the customer and work back to the solution. We discuss why writing—not PowerPoint—is the ultimate tool for clear thinking, and how the PRFAQ process forces teams to confront assumptions, sharpen strategy, and inspire decisive action.
Whether you’re launching a startup, pitching a new product, or championing innovation inside a company, this episode will help you rethink how you present ideas—and how to get buy-in before you build.
We’re back with Part 2 of our March Lead Better session featuring Elise Moore—and the conversation gets even deeper. In this follow-up episode, Elise builds on the foundation from Part 1 and dives into practical tools for navigating tough conversations, giving feedback with impact, and creating a culture of open, confident communication. Whether you’re leading in the boardroom or on the frontlines, this episode is packed with insight to help you communicate with purpose and power.
Are you ready to elevate how you lead through communication? In this episode, we kick off an inspiring two-part series with Elise Moore, recorded during our March Lead Better event. Elise unpacks Communicate for Success—sharing actionable strategies to improve your clarity, foster stronger connections, and boost confidence in every conversation. Whether you’re leading a team, engaging with clients, or influencing key stakeholders, this session will equip you to communicate at the next level.
In this episode, we dive into the future of hiring and team building with Andrea Hoffer, CEO of aha! Talent Experts and author of Hire Higher. With over 30 years of experience in talent management and franchise hiring, Andrea introduces her innovative DREAM Framework—designed to radically reduce turnover and help businesses hire smarter, faster, and more in line with their culture.
Andrea shares how AI is reshaping hiring for multi-location businesses and offers practical strategies for leaders who want to build high-performing, cost-effective teams. Drawing from her experience as a Talent Optimization Expert and Keynote Speaker, she highlights how aligning hiring practices with company culture drives long-term success—similar to the leadership strategies that build exceptional service cultures.
If you’re looking for actionable insights to strengthen your workforce and elevate your leadership impact, this episode delivers powerful strategies you can put to work immediately.
