1,000 Stories

How do leaders navigate crucial inflection points? That’s what hosts Joe and Reid set out to find out on this season of 1,000 Stories. There are so many inflection points in the course of building, scaling, and sustaining a business–so what are the tools and tactics that today’s best leaders have in their back pocket in order to navigate those inflection points in a way that is not only sustainabl...

There’s never been more expert advice accessible to leaders than there is today. A quick search online and you’ll find tips from countless resources on how you can navigate your particular leadership or business problem. Everyone has something to say.  But the catch is: Who should you follow? Tiffany Sauder, CEO of Element Three, sits down with Joe Mills on this episode of 1,000 Stories to share h...

Ever found yourself wondering if leaders should stick to the norm or do what's best for their own company? It's like wading through a jungle of "best practices" for leadership – a real head-scratcher. Especially when we're all bombarded with advice on how to be a top-notch leader, figuring out what clicks with you can be a real puzzle. And, let's be real, in times like the crazy rollercoaster of t...

Challenges and opportunities. It’s the inherent balance that comes with entering new markets. You’ll overcome one and encounter the other.  But what is most important is how you navigate through both. Tim Leman, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gibson Insurance, joins Reid and Joe to share the key to entering, navigating, and growing within new markets. With Gibson Insurance going from a regional...

Business acquisition isn’t just about considering the assets you’ll gain but also the leader you’ll work with. Can you work with them long-term? Are your values aligned? A leader’s identity and personality can often complicate your plans, whether you’re looking to buy a business or even partner with one. Understanding and respecting the different types of leaders will help you navigate these scena...

“Who am I?” It’s a lifelong question many of us ask ourselves. We all have many roles and responsibilities, yet those are not the answer to the age-old question. Where do you go to unpack this question and unlock the answer to help you grow?  Wes Cate, Founder of Creatio, a company that helps senior executives lead through complexity with clarity, courage, and compassion, shares in-depth insights...

  There’s no question what you do affects how you think about yourself. What happens when you realize your role for years no longer fits? For Mark Caswell, that means stepping down as CEO of Resultant and discovering he’s more than a title.   Mark Caswell is now a board member at Resultant but is still learning more about his identity. He joins host Joe Mills on 1,000 Stories to talk about transit...

A business’ inflection point is a critical moment that determines its future. Whether it’s taking on more capital or getting acquired, leaders are bound to have stories of how they navigated through these difficult circumstances—and that’s what hosts @Reid Morris and @Joe Mills intend to find out in the newest season of 1,000 Stories. Listen for a discussion about what you can learn from the episo...

Knowing and seeing what’s possible is the first step to making it come true.  For Rachel Downey, Founder and CEO of Share Your Genius, it was discovering that it was possible to run a business at make time for her daughter simultaneously.  Rachel sits down with Joe and Reid on this episode of the 1,000 Stories podcast to tell the story of how the idea of Share Your Genius came to her on her hospit...

What are you fighting for?  Most fighters might think that it’s all about their record and having more wins than losses. But in Muay Thai, it’s often about fighting to become a better version of yourself.  Jamie Bradley, Muay Thai instructor and Gym Owner of KruFit, joined the 1,000 Stories podcast to talk about the beauty of Muay Thai, its impact on her life, the transition from being an athlete...

As an ultramarathon runner, Nick Smarrelli knows that intensity can only get you so far. You’re either all in or out. When he began feeling unhappy as a CEO of a company, he knew had to make a hard reset in his life. The people in his company deserved a fully committed leader—one that wasn’t him.  He’s since stepped down to chase new opportunities, such as being a Professor at Butler University. N...

Most people think that data and gut feelings are opposite ends of a spectrum. But pairing them together can give you the confidence to do the things that others might not have.  Rachel Romer, CEO and Co-Founder of Guild Education, relied on both when, in 2015,  she decided to move her company from the bustling San Francisco to—what others believed—nowhere, Denver. Turns out, she was right.  Now, s...

How well do you know yourself? Your dreams? Fears? Emotions? Reactions? When you take the time to learn more about yourself, it allows you to restructure your days the way that’s best for you to perform at your highest level in all areas of your life.  Jacqueline Martinez, VP of People at GrowthDay and Human Design Strategist at Off the Record HR, joins Joe on this episode of the 1,000 Stories pod...

How do you deal with change as a leader?  It’s a scary thing. No one can truly be comfortable with it, but believing that you’ll find yourself in a more energizing position is crucial for moving forward.  Jeb Banner, CEO of Opendate and founder of Smallbox, joins Joe on this episode of the 1,000 Stories podcast to share his thoughts and insights about the role that change plays in our lives. Along...

How big of a role does passion play in your career? In your life?   Sometimes, it can move you to do unconventional things. One of them is to step down from a leadership role at your company. That’s what Paul Ashley did.   Paul Ashley, VP & Consultant at NPS and Adjunct Professor at Butler University, joins Joe and Reid in this episode of the 1,000 Stories podcast to share his passions, from t...

Struggling with perfectionism? Sometimes, success doesn’t come from avoiding failure, but instead having permission to fail.  On this week’s episode of 1,000 Stories, Courtney Bills, CEO of Tactive, joins Joe and Reid to talk about her drive to take on challenges. She shares her struggles with perfectionism, how it’s OK to ask for help and permission from others, being a badass leader, and more. ...

What motivates you—besides competition?   Is it greatness? Is it getting your hands messy? Yes, but above all, that purpose can be other people.   Sam Jacobs, CEO of Pavilion and Wall Street Journal best selling author, joins Joe and Reid on this week’s episode of 1,000 Stories to talk about his journey towards creating a successful community-driven business. He discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic...

Joanna Rees has been a trailblazer in the male-dominated venture capital and digital marketing industries, despite the many challenges she faced along the way. Through her unwavering determination and commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive team that champions underrepresented individuals, she has become an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs. But what is Joanna's secret to success?...

The world will often lie to you about what the meaning of life is. And while this is, unfortunately, the case, you have to find your meaning within yourself. Mark Caswell, CEO of Resultant, grew up in a small community and has been on the pursuit to living out his purpose in life and sharing his story. In this inspirational episode, Mark and Joe talk about work-life congruence, finding your meanin...

"You'll be in jail for the rest of your life by the time you're 16." Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures, heard all of these words from teachers and mentors in his life by the time he was 16. He let every single one of these sentences affect him for the better. Toph Day has mastered the art of investing in the people and places around him to create an impact far beyond his goals and dreams. But, it...

When was the last time you were asked for your 10-year plan? Did you have an answer? If not…that may be a good thing. Scott Whitlock, CEO of Flexware Innovation, joins Joe and Reid on this week’s episode of 1,000 Stories to share his personal philosophy on accountability partners, the importance of asking questions, finding a job that you’re passionate about, becoming an approachable leader, the E...

“Sometimes you just have to take the leap and trust that everything is going to be okay.” Jake Miller had a banner first year as CEO of the Engineered Innovation Group—growing the company, beating revenue goals, and finding a niche that worked for their business. Even with all of this…he still experienced imposter syndrome. Why does this happen to people like Jake, and what can we learn from him?...

The most powerful thing to know in life is you can only control YOU. Cornelius George has a passion for impacting lives and making the world a better place than he found it. He is the co-founder and CEO of Chuqlab, a business with the focus of providing technology to those doing great things but have been underserved by the traditional technology start-up ecosystem. Cornelius George shared his pow...

“When people feel seen, heard, and valued they want more of that.” Ali Cudby is the CEO of Alignmint Growth Strategies, a company she founded in 2014 as Your Iconic Brand. Ali also wrote the book on customer experience – literally. That’s because Ali is the author of the bestseller, Keep Your Customers. From Fortune 500 to pre-revenue start-ups, Ali has spent 20 years refining her craft.  Ali firs...

"Pain and frustration lead to great innovation, don’t they?" Marcus Sheridan is an international keynote speaker and author of the book, "They Ask, You Answer". He is an expert in communication, sales, and marketing, and has used his knowledge to become one of the most trusted voices in his space. As an author and speaker, Marcus teaches others how to communicate in a way that builds trust and gen...