Behind the Win

For this Lift Up episode, Josh Johnson introduces LSI interns Arvan and Sam, who share what working at LSI has been like and what they've learned. Arvan and Sam have had the opportunity to research the intricacies of contract procurement and the relationships between business and the federal government. Giving interns opportunities to work on real projects like we have gives them the opportunity t...

Welcome back to Behind the Win, the podcast where we explore the leaders, ideas, and experiences behind strong organizations and communities. Today we're joined by Paul Johnson, president of Slipstream Advocacy and former staff director of the House Budget Committee. Paul spent a decade on Capitol Hill working his way from intern to senior congressional leadership and helping advance legislation a...

For this week's Lift Up, Sam Beasley explains what CMMC certification will do for your business. Certification opens up new opportunities, but can come at a cost as you rehaul your business to fit into the standards. One of the major benefits of reconsidering your business in this way is how it brings to light policy issues you might not have known you had. The CMMC policies will ensure you have p...

Welcome to Behind the Win, where we go beyond business headlines to explore the people, ideas, and relationships driving success. Today we're joined by Michael Wright, founder of Intercepting Horizons. Michael has spent his career helping organizations anticipate emerging technologies and prepare for what's next. His work spans strategic foresight, innovation, and one of the most fascinating field...

In this episode of Lift Up, Sam Beasley explains how organizational design can elevate your business model. Delineating who is responsible for which tasks spreads out the workload, clarifies the chain of command, and ensures everything is being taken care of. When you hire someone, you're expecting them to fill a certain role; make sure they aren't taking over other people's work, and give them so...

Welcome to Behind the Win, where we go beyond business headlines to explore the people, ideas, and relationships driving success. Today we're joined by Elle Gahl, founder of Shadow Ridge Analytics. Elle works at the intersection of innovation, investment, economic development, and national security, helping entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and government organizations build the partners...

In a continuation of episode 256 of Behind the Win, "Finding Contractor Opportunities and Winning Bids", Josh Johnson shares how to find lesser known sources of information on future potential contracts. He advises contractors to check public meetings, federal register notices, industry publications, committee reports, and budget and program analysis. Understand how to navigate demand and competit...

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today, I'm joined by Mark Shepherd, mayor of Clearfield City. Clearfield sits in a really unique position in Northern Utah, right next to Hill Air Force Base and in the middle of one of the state's most important aerospace and defense communities. Mark has had a front row seat to the growth happening across this region and understands how closely our communities, bu...

In this episode of Lift Up, we go behind the scenes of the podcast itself as Behind the Win producer Cameron Porter explains how podcasts integrate with business. Find out if podcasting would suit your business, and get top strategies on finding success with that podcast. Porter's insight comes from 15 years of creating media content for different businesses. 

Welcome to Behind the Win, where we go beyond business headlines to explore the people, ideas, and relationships driving success. Today, we're joined by Chris Falk, Executive Vice President at Newmark Mountain West Commercial Real Estate. Chris is one of Utah's most accomplished commercial real estate professionals, having completed more than eight hundred transactions totaling over one billion do...

Josh Johnson returns for another episode of Lift Up, sharing tips on which bids you should actually go for as a contractor. Gathering as much information as possible will give you a leg up, as you'll be able to make bids you're actually eligible for. Pay attention to demographics, past contracts, prices, and experience expectations. This is invaluable device as you move forward in the contracting...

Welcome to Behind the Win, where we go deeper into how visionary leaders are shaping industries, strengthening our nation's security, and preparing for what's next. Today we're joined by Jason Yates, Director for Defense and Security at Guidehouse and a retired U.S. Air Force major. We'll discuss the future of America's defense industrial base, emerging technology, and why Utah is becoming a premi...

Welcome back to Behind the Win, the podcast where we explore the leaders, ideas, and experiences behind strong organizations and communities. Today we're joined by Ken Pimlott, former director and chief of CAL FIRE. Ken spent more than three decades in the fire service, ultimately leading CAL FIRE through some of the most challenging and destructive wildfires in California's history. This conversa...

Meet LSI Interns Carley, Chloe, and Batu as we discuss how they ended up at LSI and what they're getting from the experience. At LSI, they've found growth, interesting projects, hands-on experience, insight into government relations, and exposure to the interconnectedness of business and government. In this episode, learn more about the inner workings of LSI and our interns.

In this episode of Lift Up, Sam Beasley addresses major concerns people have had with AI usage. Learn how to take advantage of AI tools in the most advantageous way possible, and understand others' motivations behind AI use. Beasley explains how he has seen AI incorporated during his business endeavors.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today, we're talking about something that often determines whether a startup succeeds or struggles, and it's not always the technology or the funding; it's the ecosystem around them. The strongest companies don't grow alone. They're built through relationships, partnerships, mentorship, investment, and the right people opening the right doors at the right time. Join...

In this Lift Up episode of Behind the Win, Sam Beasley addresses the different factors company leadership considers when allocating raises. Employers start with a budget that they then have to spread between all of their employees, based on skill, retention, equity, and other factors. Beasley addresses how this allocation can look different from an employer versus employee perspective.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. We're talking about how a city positions itself for growth, visibility, and long-term impact without losing what makes it special. And a big part of that conversation right now is Ogden, especially with the momentum around the Ogden Airport and new commercial service, including Breeze Airways. Joining us today is Casey Sanders, the Airport Marketing and Business Rec...

In this Lift Up episode, Josh Johnson, head of office operations and strategy for LSI in the Washington, D.C. region, explains that visiting your Congress member is not as simple as walking into Congress. There is a variety of other staff working to ensure that information reaches your Congress member through the proper channels; this episode details which ones you are likely to speak to.

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today's conversation is about something so many people think about, but far fewer actually do. What does it really look like to walk away from a stable career and build something on your own? And not just build it, but grow it in a way that stays true to who you are, your values, and your community. Because from the outside, success can look simple, but behind every...

Today's Lift Up episode features a HIPE breakout session led by Randy Glantz, who shares how to do a capability statement right. "Your capability statement is one input into whether they say yes to engaging you on their next move or inviting you to their next industry day."

We hear a lot about workforce programs, training pipelines, and development initiatives, but the real question is what actually works? What actually changes someone's life, not just in theory, but in reality? Because behind every job placement, every certification, every success story, there's a person who made a decision to start over. Joining us today is Shannon O'Shea, director of the Clearfiel...

In this episode, Josh Johnson, head of office operations and strategy for LSI in the Washington, D.C. region, shares insights from his 40-year career living and working in the nation's capital. Drawing on his 17 years of experience as a professional congressional committee staffer, Johnson breaks down the unique responsibilities, day-to-day realities, and vital role that committee staffers play in...

Today's conversation is about something every business owner feels but not always knows how to navigate: regulation, policy, and having a voice in the system. We're talking about what it actually takes to cut through the red tape and create an environment where small businesses can grow and compete. Joining me today is Trent Staggs, regional advocate for the US Small Business Administration Office...

In this episode of Lift Up, we feature an insightful keynote speech delivered by LSI’s Sam Beasley at the 2026 Hill Industry Partner Exchange. Drawing from LSI’s extensive logistics work with complex organizations like CAL FIRE, Sam breaks down the hidden reasons why business partnerships fail and how to build alliances that actually last. Skip the performative "communication theater" and discover...