The Journey To CEO Success

In this engaging conversation, Patrick Thean , co-founder of Rhythm Systems , sits down with Eva Kosinovic , co-founder and CEO of Circle 29 , about the journey to CEO success. They explore the challenges of digital transformation, the importance of resilience and joy in leadership, and the necessity of being present in the moment. Eva shares her insights on navigating change, empowering teams, an...

In this episode of the Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean , co-founder of Rhythm Systems , sits down with Karen Norheim , CEO of American Crane and Equipment Corp . They explore Karen's journey in the family business, her passion for manufacturing, and the importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in leadership. Karen shares her mantra, ' Always Lift, Never Quit, ' and...

In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean , co-founder of Rhythm Systems , sits down with Wes Matthews , Co-Founder and CEO of Stealth Consulting . They explore the challenges entrepreneurs face, particularly in execution versus strategy, the importance of self-awareness and reflection, and the need to prioritize personal values alongside business goals. Wes shares his journey f...

AI is changing executive search. But technology alone isn’t the advantage; discernment is. In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean, co-founder of Rhythm Systems , sits down with Greg Gerson , of Fusion Search Partners to explore how modern search firms are blending senior-partner judgment with advanced AI to make smarter C-suite decisions. They also shift gears to something ju...

Too many CEOs move from milestone to milestone without ever stopping to acknowledge the win. In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success , Brad Copeland , President of FileBank , shares why slowing down, celebrating progress, and having fun with your team isn’t a distraction from results; it’s a catalyst for them. Brad talks about the pressure leaders feel to constantly chase the next goal, the...

In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success , Patrick Thean , co-founder of Rhythm Systems , sits down with Chris Stegner , CEO of Very Big Things , to explore what truly drives a joyful and successful leadership journey. Together, they discuss how purpose often reveals itself through the things that come naturally to you, why joy comes from aligning expectations with reality, and the critical d...

In this episode, Patrick Thean sits down with Founder and CEO of The Center for Conscious Living and Fulfillment Chris Yonker to explore the two disciplines most leaders overlook: • intentionally prioritizing family time • seeking outside perspective to see what you can’t see alone. Chris shares why the most fulfilled CEOs schedule personal time first, build life rhythms just like business plans,...

Patrick Thean , Co-Founder of Rhythm Systems , sits down with Noah Manyika , Co-Founder and CEO of Kitchen Copilot, to explore two powerful truths that shaped his journey: Success begins with personal ownership Family is the fuel that sustains it From studying by candlelight in colonial Rhodesia to leading with intention today, Noah shares how refusing to make excuses and investing deeply in the p...

What does it really take to lead with kindness while holding people accountable, especially as organizations grow more complex? In this episode of Journey to CEO Success , Patrick Thean, co-founder of Rhythm Systems , sits down with Michael Mutterer , CEO of Silver Cross Hospital , to talk candidly about the leadership shifts required to scale without losing culture, standards, or trust. Michael s...

Julie Copeland , CEO of Arbill , knows firsthand the pressure that comes with stepping into a family business. At first, she led the company as her father had, out of deep respect for his legacy and the team he built. But when crisis hit, Julie realized that what got them here wouldn’t get them there. In this episode, she shares how she let go of guilt, claimed her own vision, and transformed Arbi...

In this episode of The Journey To CEO Success, Patrick Thean sits down with Charlie Malouf , CEO of Broad River Retail , for a raw and insightful conversation about leading through crisis, shifting mindset, and building a company where people can thrive. Charlie shares the pivotal moment when Broad River Retail was on the brink of collapse, and the bold decisions that sparked one of the most impre...

In this episode, Patrick sits down with Sasha Dichter , Co-founder and CEO of 60 Decibels , for a conversation that’s part mindset shift and part look into the future. Sasha shares his “Month of Yes” experiment, a forcing function to break his default patterns. What he learned wasn’t about convenience; it was about awareness, generosity, and what changes when you disrupt your automatic habits. Pat...

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 exp...

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 Hill Fire Protection LLC, 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 convers...

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 guarant...

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...

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. First, the power of sabbaticals - why giving your team space to step away and recharge can spark creativity, deepen loyalty, and strengthen performance. Second, the importance of mission and...

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...

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 h...

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 th...

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 expl...

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. Thi...

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 se...

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: How to embrace career transitions and find joy in the unknown Why employee feedback is essential for continuous improveme...