Join host Kirk Spahn as he speaks with world champions about ways to elevate and equip tomorrow's champions and leaders. Drawing on his extensive background as a fourth-generation educator, founder of the Institute for Civic Leadership, and former competitive tennis player, Kirk explores the intersection of elite performance, character development, and lifelong success. In each episode, Kirk sits down with remarkable achievers across sports, business, arts, and education to uncover the hidde ...
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The Leaders & Legacies Podcast celebrates leaders who are making a difference beyond themselves. It was inspired from events in 2021 when the host, Craig Andrews went into a 6-week coma. Even after waking up, his brain was scrambled for another two weeks. When his mind cleared, his wife started telling him how his team stepped up and ran the company without him. Freelancers reached out to his team and offered to do whatever was necessary while he was in the hospital. Craig believes we all ma ...
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There’s a lot that needs to change in education. But there are inspiring movements going on too! At Educator Forever, we believe teachers need to be at the forefront of education reform and be empowered to create career pathways that work for them. Do you ever think about leaving the classroom but have absolutely no idea what else you could do? You may not realize it yet, but you have acquired highly valuable skills throughout your teaching journey, and there is unlimited potential for you t ...
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212 - Leadership Through Purpose - How Kirk Spahn Helps Students Excel On and Off the Court
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41:35Kirk Spahn brings leadership to life at ICL Academy, a school built for students who aim higher—on the court, on the stage, or in their communities. In this conversation, Kirk breaks down what it takes to lead with purpose. He shares how ICL moves beyond academics to develop discipline, resilience, and character. The goal? To build champions for li…
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215 - Building a Workforce from Scratch - Michael Cole’s Leadership in the Trades
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32:58Michael Cole, President of Next Level Technician, shares how he turned a failed Subway franchise and a few unlikely training classes into a thriving staffing and training company in the low-voltage trades. In a field plagued by high turnover and unpredictability, Cole stands out by building systems that value integrity and grit over credentials. Hi…
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146. Founding a Microschool with Christina Pipkin of FAYE Learning Center
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36:57Christina "Pip" Pipkin is the founder of FAYE Learning Center, a microschool in Texas. Pip is a Texas native and dedicated DEI expert in K-12 education, passionately advocating for equitable and inclusive learning environments. With over 15 years of experience as a teacher and implementation specialist, Pip combines deep knowledge of diversity, equ…
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214 - Bring the Magic of Disney to Any Business with Vance Morris
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40:19Vance Morris doesn’t just deliver services—he designs unforgettable experiences. In this episode, he shares how Disney’s obsession with systems shaped his philosophy for building customer loyalty and price elasticity. Morris breaks down his transition from security guard at a birth control factory to Disney executive, then to bankrupt entrepreneur,…
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Mind Over Matter: Dan Jansen on Perseverance and Giving Back
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50:18In this moving episode of Building Champions for Life, host Kirk Spahn sits down with Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Dan Jansen to reflect on one of the most powerful journeys in sports history. From skating on frozen ponds in Wisconsin to heartbreak on the Olympic stage, Dan opens up about how the tragic loss of his sister Jane shap…
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213 - How Data-Driven Decisions Fuel Confident Leadership with Tom Dillon
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31:35Tom Dillon, founder of Frak Finance, joins Craig Andrews to break down how smart financial leadership unlocks business growth. As a fractional CFO, Tom helps companies escape the trap of gut-based decisions and start leading with data. He exposes the cost of common blind spots—like selling at a loss, underestimating hiring costs, or ignoring tracti…
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145. Personalizing Education with Matt Bowman of OpenEd
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38:17Matt Bowman is the founder and CEO of OpenED, an educational platform which has served over 100,000 students nationwide. After teaching sixth grade and watching his own five children struggle with standardized education, Matt left a successful career as a tech executive to solve a problem close to his heart: “why does school force every unique chil…
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211 - Own Your Lane - Michelle Griffin's Framework for Leading with Clarity
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42:58Michelle Griffin joins Craig Andrews to deliver a sharp message for leaders flying under the radar—visibility is not vanity, it's your responsibility. As founder of Brand Leaders and creator of the “Own Your Lane” framework, Michelle helps professionals become the go-to voice in their space. In this episode, she breaks down the four key steps of he…
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144. The Power of Listening with Christine Miles of The Listening Path
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25:04Christine Miles is, an award winning author, a keynote speaker and founder of the Listening Path, a pioneering company in the of field listening intelligence. At the center of her company’s success is a revolutionary system used by Fortune 100 companies and in classrooms across three countries. Christine and I have a wonderful talk about how her ch…
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210 - Building Systems That Set You & Your Business Free - Lessons from David Forster
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32:08David Forster joins Craig Andrews to dismantle one of the most persistent myths in business: that people are the problem. With eight businesses under his belt, Forster explains why 94% of business issues stem from broken or missing processes—not bad hires. He shares how simplifying systems, building checklists, and offloading mental bandwidth into …
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209 - From Green Beret to Cybersecurity Leader - Josh Wathen on Business Resilience
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30:57Josh Wathen, COO of Triad InfoSec and former Green Beret, joins Craig Andrews to sound the alarm on a growing leadership challenge: cyber resilience. In a world where ransomware is a billion-dollar business and hackers operate in full-fledged corporate teams, Josh breaks down why small businesses are soft targets—and how leadership complacency can …
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143. From Teacher to Copywriter with Meredith Cooley of Page and Purpose
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25:41After spending 17 years in education, Meredith Cooley decided to try something new: copywriting. She started Page and Purpose after the pandemic and leveled her experience as a teacher into helping ed tech companies craft their marketing. Finding success quickly in her new business, she wants to help other educators try copywriting with her new an …
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208 - The Three Keys to Success - Philip Portman's Formula for Leading Growth
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43:29Philip Portman, founder of Textdrip and author of Three Keys to Success, shares his raw journey through entrepreneurship and leadership. At his lowest point—deep in debt, grieving the loss of his dog, and questioning his choices—Philip made a commitment: he would never work for anyone else again. That moment became his turning point. In this episod…
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207 - Leadership in Action - How Dr. Cristin Dickerson Makes Healthcare Work for Everyone
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34:28Dr. Cristin Dickerson isn’t waiting for the healthcare system to fix itself—she’s leading the charge. As founder of Green Imaging, Dr. Dickerson cuts through red tape and bloated bureaucracy to deliver affordable, high-quality imaging. In this episode, she walks through how leadership rooted in ethics, transparency, and accountability can change th…
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142. Theory Can Only Take You So Far with Patrick Mongrain of EdChanger Pro
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30:38Patrick Mongrain spent ten years teaching middle school history and leadership, and another ten working as as a district-level instructional coach and restorative justice specialist before moving on to professional development. Over the years he’s come to believe that teachers are incredible, but he also created a Moneyball-inspired data collection…
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206 - Leading Through Numbers - Why Smart CFOs Predict the Future with Ken LaCroix
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40:44Ken LaCroix, Chief Insight Officer at Insightful Partners, brings a sharp leadership lens to financial strategy. In this episode, he explains why a good CFO doesn’t just report history—they help leaders forecast and shape the future. Ken shares stories from the trenches, including uncovering a private jet buried in company expenses, and warns how t…
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205 - Owning the Dirt - Jeff Peterson’s Leadership Lessons from Business & Real Estate
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33:42Jeff Peterson didn’t start with investors, privilege, or a fallback plan. At 17, he jumped into business and never looked back. On this episode of Leaders and Legacies, Jeff breaks down the leadership lessons behind building a $150 million real estate project from the ground up. What started as a cash-flowing trailer park evolved into a 316-unit, m…
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141. Supporting Leaders to Facilitate Change with Dr. Rick Rodriguez of The Rooted Life
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49:15Dr. Rick Rodriguez is a first generation Mexican American who has lived through and acknowledges the challenges that individuals and communities of color face across our systems. Guided by these experiences, he co-founded the Rooted Life, a bilingual coaching and consulting business that incorporates research-based frameworks to trigger thinking, s…
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204 - From Ghana to California - A Spine Surgeon’s Global View on Leadership with Dr. Kushagra Verma
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33:47Dr. Kushagra Verma doesn’t just run a spine care practice—he leads it with intention, integrity, and data. In this episode, Dr. Verma lays out a clear blueprint for what leadership looks like in medicine. He shares how rejecting volume-based care in favor of concierge-level attention has allowed him to maintain high standards and build lasting trus…
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203 - Turn Your Voice Into Authority - The Leadership Power of Publishing with Aurora Winter
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36:11Aurora Winter joins Craig Andrews to explore how leaders can use books to amplify authority, build trust, and accelerate business growth. As the founder of Same Page Publishing, Aurora reveals her spoken author method—a system that turns interviews into books, saving time and maximizing impact. She shares how one hour of recorded content generated …
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140. Teaching Digital Citizenship with Dana Anderson
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22:51Dana Anderson teaches digital citizenship, language arts, and literature to Middle and High School students at Bridgemont International School. She's also served as a kids' and teens' digital content expert for non-profits, tech companies, teacher training programs and schools. Dana is also a writer, a nature and animal lover, and a mom of three. I…
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202 - Secrets Your CPA Isn't Telling You - The Legal Art of Tax Strategy with Peter Culver
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36:14Peter Culver doesn’t just save clients money—he helps them rewrite their financial future. In this episode, Peter breaks down how tax strategy, not tax filing, is the critical leadership tool most business owners ignore. As co-founder of Wealthrive, he combines legal insight and financial acumen to reveal how affluent families protect and grow weal…
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139. The Future of Education with Kirk Spahn of ICL Academy
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35:04Kirk Spahn is a fourth generation educator with more than two decades in the field. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he worked for schoolmaster.net, an early online learning platform based in London.But it was the events of Sept. 11 that inspired him that inspired him to start the Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL), an award winning youth…
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201 - Fixing What's Broken with B2B Networking with Donnie Boivin
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33:55Donnie Boivin didn’t launch his company until he was 40. Six months later, he nearly lost everything. His wife’s car was repossessed. Their farm almost went under. But Donnie didn’t quit. Instead, he built Success Champion Networking into a global business by rejecting transactional networking and teaching entrepreneurs how to build referral ecosys…
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From Touchdowns to Tech: The Multifaceted Mission of Blake Corum
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45:32In this inspiring episode of Building Champions for Life, host Kirk Spahn sits down with Blake Corum—NFL running back for the Los Angeles Rams and two-time All-American from the University of Michigan. Known for his record-breaking rushing touchdowns and leadership on the field, Blake’s story is one of relentless dedication, resilience, and purpose…
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138. Supporting Students with Learning Challenges with Emily Levy of EBL Coaching
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13:10Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL coaching, a specialized tutoring program that offers individualized one on one, home, virtual and on site instruction using research based multi sensory techniques. In this episode, Dr. Levy tells me about how after teaching special education, she went to Wall Street and then back to the so-called “…
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200 - The Secrets of Building Community with Norm Farrar
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38:18Norman Farrar doesn’t lead by barking orders—he leads by building trust. In this episode, he explains how strong leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about showing up consistently, listening carefully, and creating space for others to lead. Norm shares how his leadership style evolved from his early days in manufacturing…
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199 - The Leadership Systems That Scale - Insights from Steve Thornton
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40:20Steve Thornton, Managing Partner at Apex Management, doesn’t just coach leaders—he builds leadership systems. In this episode, Steve walks through what most leaders get wrong and how to fix it. He explains why high performers often make poor leaders and what it takes to shift from doing to directing. Steve also shares why companies stall out when t…
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137. Focusing on Students’ Emotional Wellbeing with Iuri Melo of SchoolPulse
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35:40Iuri Melo is a therapist, motivational speaker, and—on particularly exciting days—a “professional teenager whisperer.” He has spent over two decades working closely with families, students and schools, and he's become a trusted voice when it comes to promoting psychological awareness, great relationships and student success. His research led to the…
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Beyond the Baseline: Iva Jovic’s Journey On and Off the Court
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36:46In this episode, host Kirk Spahn sits down with rising WTA tennis star and ICL Academy student Iva Jovic for a deep, inspiring conversation about purpose, perseverance, and finding joy in the grind. Iva shares how the stillness of the COVID-19 lockdown sparked her love of tennis and how that spark ignited a journey from hitting balls on public bask…
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198 - Matt Ohrt's Everything is Bigger in Texas Healthcare Revolution
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41:03Matt Ohrt returns to the podcast with a bold mission: dismantle the bloated, broken health care system and replace it with a transparent, people-first model. In this episode, Matt explains why he left a successful startup to launch Rise Up Health in Texas—a state known for its independent spirit and appetite for innovation. Matt draws on his leader…
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197 - Green Beret Lessons for Founders - Leadership That Scales with Otis McGregor
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42:50Otis McGregor doesn't just teach leadership—he’s lived it. A retired Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel turned entrepreneur, Otis shares hard-earned lessons on how to lead with clarity, trust, and purpose. In this episode, Otis explains why most business leaders fail when they micromanage, avoid accountability, or try to go it alone. He offers a refres…
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136. Engaging Kids in STEM with Ronnie Thomas of Fun Weird Science
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28:04Ronnie Thomas is the founder of Fun Weird Science, an education company built on the belief that STEM lessons can apply all kinds of disciplines. A science teacher with 25 years of experience and two Teacher of the Year awards, Thomas started Weird Fun Science after developing a reputation for engaging and versatile teaching methods. In our discuss…
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196 - From Time Magazine to Tech Strategy - Matt Dorman’s Digital Leadership Lessons
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28:35Matt Dorman has been building digital platforms since 1995. On this episode of Leaders and Legacies, he shares how his experience coding for major brands like Time, J&J, and Fox News taught him a core truth: without strategy, a website is just decoration. Matt walks listeners through what separates successful sites from failures—and why leadership …
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195: Testing Beats Guessing: A Scientist's Approach to Marketing with Brian Massey
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51:45Brian Massey, founder of Conversion Sciences, joins Craig Andrews to unpack the power of leadership through rigorous experimentation. Known as the "Conversion Scientist," Brian has spent over 15 years transforming how businesses approach their websites—moving from guesswork to data-backed results. In this conversation, Brian breaks down why most co…
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135. Trust-Based Observations with Craig Randall
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27:06Craig Randall is the developer and author of “Trust-Based Observations.” He has spent the last 30 plus years in education, working as a counselor, coach, teacher and principal. Now, Craig spends the majority of his time training school leaders all over the globe in the trust-based observation system, transforming the world of teacher observations t…
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194 - From Deadliest Catch to Killer Sales - Sales Leadership with Chris Szado
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41:19Chris Szado learned leadership the hard way—dodging lightning strikes and supertankers on commercial fishing boats off Canada’s Pacific coast. Now, he brings that high-stakes clarity to corporate sales. In this episode, Chris shares how his upbringing in a dangerous, consequence-heavy environment shaped his approach to leadership, trust, and accoun…
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Building Champions for Life: The 6 P's with Kirk Spahn
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31:53Join host Kirk Spahn as he embarks on a journey to uncover the mindsets, habits, and philosophies of champions and transformative leaders. In this podcast, Kirk sits down with innovators, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and changemakers who are redefining what it means to lead and succeed. Each episode offers deep insights, honest stories, and pr…
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193 - Leadership Is Systems - How Sree Kaluva Helps Small Teams Run Like Enterprises
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33:12Sree Kaluva built his career designing enterprise systems for global Fortune 500s. But what drives him now is helping small business owners thrive with the same kind of technology—without the cost or complexity. In this episode, Sree unpacks how leadership isn't just about people—it's about giving them the tools to succeed. Drawing from his own jou…
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134. Teaching Kids to Read with Rebecca McAllister of the Active Reader
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22:47Rebecca McAllister is a certified teacher, literacy specialist, and co-founder of The Active Reader. With over 10 years of classroom experience, Rebecca has always been passionate about helping young learners thrive—but it wasn’t until she became a mom that everything shifted. Teaching her daughter to read made her realize that even as an educator,…
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192 - From Dyslexia to Business Powerhouse - Claire Ansell on Leading with Strength
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30:51Claire Ansell didn’t just build a business—she built a movement. As the founder and CEO of Business Powerhouse, Claire helps entrepreneurs escape overwhelm and lead with strategy, structure, and clarity. In this episode, she breaks down how leadership starts with self-awareness, not hustle. Claire shares how growing up with high expectations—and ov…
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191 - How Curiosity, Grit, and Frameworks Drive Lasting Leadership with Jack Cohen
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34:11Jack Cohen, CEO of Dark Knight Ventures, joins Craig Andrews to explore the leadership tools that shaped his 40+ year career in commercial real estate and finance. In this episode, Jack breaks down the principles from his book, The Freedom Frameworks, revealing how practical tools—not empty platitudes—help leaders accelerate growth and stay grounde…
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133. Reimagining Education through Makerspaces with David Martelli of Guild Hall Learning
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38:36David Martelli is a dedicated educator and leader in STEM learning, with over 20 years of experience designing innovative educational spaces and programs. His career began in the U.S. Air Force, where he led high-tech programs before transitioning into education. As Head of Computer Science and Engineering at a school, he built a cutting-edge Maker…
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190 - Leading Through Technology - Ken Cox’s Mission to Empower Small Business
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33:50Ken Cox doesn’t just talk about leadership—he builds systems that enable it. In this episode, Ken shares how a turbulent upbringing and early tech exposure shaped his leadership style. From hanging around small-town entrepreneurs to diving into the early days of the internet, Ken turned challenges into fuel. He opens up about his dyslexia and how t…
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189 - Leading with Vision and Grit - Steve Duddy on Building Culture and Driving Results
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42:55Steve Duddy doesn’t just lead companies—he shapes cultures, mentors future leaders, and makes bold moves under pressure. In this episode, he shares hard-earned leadership lessons from the operating room to the boardroom. From his early days in medical device sales to running multimillion-dollar divisions, Steve reveals how leadership is less about …
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132. Starting Your Second Act with Shannon Russell of Second Act Success
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17:17In this episode, I speak to Shannon Russell of the Second Act Success Podcast. Russell is a career transition and business coach empowering women to leave unfulfilling careers and build joyful, purpose driven businesses. She recently published a book “Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life,” which…
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188 - From Martial Arts to Franchises - How Devan Gonzalez Builds Leaders
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36:59Devan Gonzalez didn’t stumble into leadership—he forged it in the fire of martial arts mats and business mistakes. In this episode, Devan unpacks how discipline, mindset, and purposeful mentorship shaped his journey from teen instructor to fitness franchise founder. He shares what most leaders miss: showing up beats motivation every time. Leadershi…
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187 - Napoleon, Data, and Leadership - Why First Principles Matter with Ritavan
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35:41Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact. In this episode of Leaders and Legacies, Craig Andrews sits down with Ritavan, founder of Bavarian Tiger Ventures and author of Data Impact, to break down the principles of high-performance leadership. Ritavan shares why blindly following best practices leads to failure and how first principles think…
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131. Addressing Inequities in School Discipline with Richard Welsh of The School Discipline Lab
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27:10This week I speak to Richard Welsh, an associate professor at Vanderbilt University and the founder of its School Discipline Lab. We talked about his new book, “ Suspended Futures: Transforming Racial Inequities in School Discipline.” The book focuses on prevalence of exclusionary discipline in schools, particularly among Black students, who are tw…
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186 - How Leaders Can Fix Healthcare for Employees with Lester Morales
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37:35Leadership isn’t about maintaining the status quo—it’s about seeing problems, rallying people, and creating solutions. In this episode, Lester Morales, founder and CEO of Next Impact, exposes the broken incentives in healthcare and how business leaders can take control. Lester shares how his family’s devastating financial struggle with medical bill…
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