C-Level Up Podcast

After a hiatus, the C-Level Up podcast returns with hosts J.D. Miller and Mike Kreissl welcoming film producer Jordan Reinwald for an engaging conversation that bridges Hollywood storytelling and executive leadership. Reinwald, most recently an executive producer of the indie horror film Inhabitants, shares a behind the scenes look at the realities of independent filmmaking, from raising capital a...

What does it take to thrive as a leader in a fast-changing world of tech and media? On this episode of C-Level Up, we sit down with Joy Baer, a trailblazing executive with over 25 years of experience transforming industries and scaling global companies. From founding and selling her own ad-tech startup to leading innovation at Comcast, Joy shares her journey of bold risks, strategic pivots, and th...

This C-Level Up Podcast features Mike Jaffe, a leadership expert and 9/11 survivor who founded SAVIA Leadership. Mike shares his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of small, consistent changes and the impact of self-awareness. He discusses the challenges of building a strong company culture, emphasizing the need for clear communication, shared agreements, and focusing on calling people "...

Welcome to C-Level Up, where we delve into the minds of industry leaders to uncover their strategies, insights, and stories. In today’s episode, we’re honored to host Rick Howard, a true visionary in the cybersecurity world. Rick is the President of the Cybersecurity Canon—think of it as the Hall of Fame for cybersecurity literature, or the "Cyber Pulitzer." With a career spanning decades across m...

In this episode of C-Level Up, we were joined by Roger Jansen, whose dynamic career has spanned decades in the music and entertainment industry. From his groundbreaking days as one of Chicago’s youngest nightclub owners at 23 to his success managing major acts like Disturbed and overseeing A&R for Warner Bros. Records and Red Bull Records, Roger shared a journey rich in entrepreneurial spirit...

We’re thrilled to welcome Meg McKeen, Founder and Consultant at Adjunct Advisors, to the C-Level Up podcast! 🌟 Meg’s impressive career spans years in the insurance industry, where she’s made a name for herself as a project-based consultant partnering with values-driven organizations. She’s also the host of the Bound and Determined podcast, championing women in insurance. In this episode, we dive...

On C-Level Up, hosts J.D. Miller and Mike Kreissl welcome Steve Miller, Director of International Scouting for the Tampa Bay Rays, to explore the wild world of international baseball scouting. Steve shares stories from his early days as a college coach to clocking 200+ days a year on the road hunting for top talent in places like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and beyond. Listeners get a peek...

With over 20 years of experience, Jason Schwartz and his team at Bright Bright Great (BBG) are setting the bar high in the interactive agency world, helping brands succeed through smart design, data-driven strategies, and a focus on functionality and usability.    In this episode of C-Level Up, Jason shares his journey into running a full-service design and web agency, along with insights on leadi...

On this episode of C-Level Up, we’re thrilled to welcome Tim Lambertsen, a seasoned psychotherapist and founder of Lambertsen Therapeutic Services. With over two decades of experience supporting people through some of life’s toughest challenges, Tim brings a unique perspective to the mental health and leadership issues many executives face today. From imposter syndrome to fears around career stabi...

In this episode of C-Level Up, hosts J.D. Miller and Mike Kreissl sit down with journeyman pro basketball player and author, Tyler Smith, to talk about his extraordinary career playing ball around the world. From navigating the unique challenges of living abroad to sharing hilarious stories from his time on the court, Tyler gives listeners a glimpse into the life of a global athlete. He also discu...

In this episode of C-Level Up, our leadership journey takes us to a seasoned actor turned on-camera acting coach. Chicago acting legend, Stef Tovar, shares the defining moments that ignited his passion for acting, his first big break in Chicago, obstacles he overcame in the early stages of his career, and how to lead on stage and in the boardroom. He offers candid insights on mentorship, the trans...

In this episode of C-Level Up, hosts J.D. Miller and Mike Kreissl chat with Sean Barnes, President of WSS Solutions, about the journey to becoming a successful business leader. Sean opens up about overcoming insecurities, staying focused on goals, and how failures can be stepping stones to success. He also shares actionable tips for leveraging LinkedIn for career growth and faces some fun rapid-fi...

In the exciting first episode of C-Level Up, J.D. Miller and Mike Kreissl welcome Pete Grimes, best-selling author of C-Level Author, to kick off the show with a bang! Pete shares his journey from business leader to successful author, revealing what it really takes to make the leap from boardroom to bestseller. This fun and insightful interview dives into the strategies leaders need to turn their...