Clark Connection Podcast

What if the most powerful leadership lessons you’ve ever learned… came from watching your mom? In this special Mother’s Day episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, we go deeper than appreciation—we break down how mothers model leadership, discipline, consistency, and legacy in ways most people don’t recognize until later in life. This episode reframes the conversation around motherhood, success,...

Leaders fail in one place more than any other, and it’s not what you think. In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, leadership coach Aaron Clark sits down with Rick Edmonds, pastor turned state senator, to break down the leadership skill that separates average leaders from those who actually build winning teams, delegation. If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or stepping into a higher level...

On this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with Aaron Parquet, an accomplished audio and visual engineer, to talk about the discipline required to turn talent into long-term success. From his early background in sports and music to building a career in audio production, visual storytelling, and creative leadership, Aaron shares how the same principles that create winnin...

What can 2 years of podcasting really teach you about leadership, personal growth, and success? In this special anniversary episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark, aka THE Coach, breaks down the real lessons learned after 84 episodes, from starting imperfectly to building influence through consistency, storytelling, and growth. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, growing you...

Leadership is easy when things are calm, it gets real when people are hurting. In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with Kyle Wilkes, entrepreneur and funeral director, to break down leadership under pressure, emotional intelligence in high-stress environments, and what it takes to lead through grief, conflict, and responsibility. Kyle shares his journey from nurs...

What’s the real difference between marketing and public relations—and why does it matter for leaders? In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, I sit down with Anna Tran to break down the power of purposeful storytelling, the role of public relations in building long-term trust, and why credibility can’t be faked. If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or communicator trying to grow your influen...

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with real estate professional Ginger Murray to talk about the power of trust, networking, and leadership in building a successful career. Ginger shares her unique journey into real estate, including the early influence of her grandmother and the transition she made from the trucking industry into the world of real estate. Throu...

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with entrepreneur Molly Sartin to talk about what it really takes to start and grow a business from the ground up. Molly shares the story of launching her dance academy right after high school and the surprising moment when 75 students showed up on the very first registration day. What began as a passion quickly turned into a g...

What does it take to rebuild when life knocks everything down? In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, I sit down with Rene’ Manfre to unpack a journey shaped by hard work, leadership, unexpected career pivots, and one life-altering event — Hurricane Katrina. From early lessons in work ethic and integrity, to developing leadership skills in an oil refinery, to transitioning into insurance...

In this episode of the Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron and Caitlin break down Energy Bus and the powerful leadership principles behind positivity, mindset, and personal responsibility. Through the story of George—a leader facing adversity at work and at home—we unpack the 10 rules that transform not just organizations, but individuals. This isn’t surface-level motivation. It’s a deep dive into how...

They’re teaching 12-year-olds how to pass laws. In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with Cheryle Totten to discuss the Youth Legislature program in Louisiana—a powerful middle school leadership program that teaches students how the legislative process works through hands-on civic engagement. For more than 25 years, Youth Legislature has empowered middle school st...

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with legendary high school football coach and mentor Bob Becnel to unpack what real leadership looks like when pressure hits. Coach Becnel shares his journey from a young coach finding his way to leading a championship-level program at Belle Chasse, breaking down the lessons that shaped his coaching philosophy along the way. Fr...

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark aka THE Coach sits down with Brian Belliveau, Chief Growth Officer at Columbia Southern University, to talk about leadership, mentorship, and long-term growth. Brian shares his journey from military service to education leadership and the lessons he’s learned along the way about patience, ownership, and making career decisions that hold...

In this episode, Aaron Clark engages in a deep conversation with Joey Dupont about the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship, and the balance between faith and fear in business. They explore Joey's journey from early sales experiences to navigating financial challenges, the role of education in shaping entrepreneurs, and the significance of sharing struggles with the next...

In this episode of the Clark Connection podcast, host Aaron Clark engages in a dynamic conversation with Andrew Reynolds, founder of Automate Integrate Professional Services. They delve into the importance of streamlining business processes through effective use of technology, particularly CRMs and dialers. Andrew emphasizes how these tools can optimize sales and improve lead response times, makin...

Leadership isn’t about the title you hold—it’s about the influence you use. In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Coach Aaron Clark is joined by Caitlin Michelet, co-host of the show and Director of Admissions at Delta College, for a powerful conversation on leadership development, mentorship, and personal growth. Caitlin shares her leadership journey from college athletics and serving...

In this conversation, Aaron shares his journey from being a high school coach to becoming a leadership development expert. He discusses the importance of developing leaders, learning from mistakes, and the role of accountability in leadership. Aaron emphasizes the need for personal growth and the willingness to embrace change as essential components of effective leadership. He also highlights the...

2025 was one of the most transformational years in the history of The Clark Connection Podcast — and today’s Year-in-Review episode breaks down the biggest lessons, moments, and breakthroughs that shaped this entire year. As we wrap up Thanksgiving weekend, I’m reflecting on the conversations, the leadership moments, the growth habits, the coaching breakthroughs, and the powerful stories that push...

In this episode, Education doesn’t just change one life—it changes generations. In this episode of the Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with Jeri Prochaska, President of Business Development at Conext and Co-Executive Director of CSPEN, to explore how educational opportunities create real, lasting life transformation. Jeri shares powerful success stories from the front lines of educ...

In this episode, Aaron and Caitlin dive deep into “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews, unpacking the powerful lessons learned through the journey of David Ponder. This book blends storytelling with life-changing principles, and today we’re breaking down the seven decisions that shape personal growth, leadership, and long-term success. We explore why taking responsibility is the starting point of...

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, host Aaron Clark sits down with Mike O’Brien, founder of Conext, a communication platform transforming how schools and students connect. Mike shares his journey of building Conext through the challenges of entrepreneurship, navigating the rapid changes during COVID, and learning the power of delegation and client-led development. You’ll also hear ho...

In this engaging conversation, Kase Dupont shares insights on building a successful roofing company, Roof Gecko, emphasizing the importance of branding, company culture, and effective hiring practices. He discusses the challenges of standing out in a saturated market and the significance of creating a memorable brand. Kase also highlights the role of communication standards and the potential of AI...

In this episode of the Clark Connection Podcast, host Aaron Clark reflects on his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges faced in the podcasting world. He discusses the importance of flexibility, leadership, and personal growth while navigating changes in his production team and the podcast's direction. Aaron emphasizes the need for community support and the value of sharing experiences...

In this conversation, Chris Appleton discusses the concept of 'Heart-Centered Hustle,' emphasizing the importance of leading with love and care for the people you serve. He shares insights on how leaders can influence their teams positively, the significance of vulnerability in leadership, and the ripple effects of leadership decisions on individuals and communities. The discussion also to...

In this conversation, Shane Robertson shares his journey from a 25-year career in corporate America to becoming a successful real estate agent and team leader. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship, the importance of building a client base, and the strategies he employs to maintain consistency and productivity in his work. Shane emphasizes the significance of coaching, t...