Everything They Don't Tell You

Stop waiting for perfect. Start today. Al Levi breaks down why momentum beats perfection, how to "box" your business so it can scale, and the seven powers he uses to build teams and companies that last. Al Levi shares the mindset and mechanics to grow: start now, ship at 80 percent, and build on documented systems, not slogans. We get into his "seven powers" framework (planning, operations, staffi...

A candid business podcast for growth-minded leaders and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Josh Zolin. The truth about leadership, business, and becoming who you're meant to be.   What happens when a CEO stops optimizing for the quarter and starts optimizing for people? Henny Penny's Rob Connelly walks us through why they converted to an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan), how it changed behavior on the f...

A candid business podcast for growth-minded leaders and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Josh Zolin. The truth about leadership, business, and becoming who you're meant to be. Episode 3 with Dr. Gay Hendricks (The Big Leap): We unpack the Upper Limit Problem and how to spot it in real time, then move into practical tools for living in your Zone of Genius. We cover the fears that trigger self-sabotage, the...

A candid business podcast for growth-minded leaders and entrepreneurs . Hosted by Josh Zolin. The truth about leadership, business, and becoming who you're meant to be.   🎯 Free resource: 90 Day ROI Playbook — Multiply Your Profits with the Skills No One Trains https://bitnw.academy/roiplaybook   How high-performing dads win at home like they do in business. We talk presence vs. hurry, immature v...

Everything They Don't Tell You with Josh Zolin and guest Christian Ray Flores . Leaders don't freeze because they'll fail. They freeze because they'll be rejected by the tribe. Christian Ray Flores breaks that loop and gets practical: build an offer (Persona, Problem, Promise, Process) and use the Seven Fs to scale without losing yourself. 🎯 Free resource: 90 Day ROI Playbook — Multiply Your Prof...

Today marks the end of an era. After 200 episodes, countless conversations, and more "aha" moments than I can count, it's time to say goodbye to the  Blue is the New White Podcast .  When I started this podcast, I had one goal: to shine a light on the incredible power of the blue-collar world and to help business owners and tradespeople realize their full potential.... What I didn't expect was how...

Rich Malachy doesn't just run a family business — he's redefining what that business means. From navigating generational change to scaling a bold online presence in a traditional industry, Rich gets real about ownership, visibility, and leading from the front. This episode is all about mindset: adapting, building brand equity, and never waiting for permission.  

Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about being generous enough to grow. This week, we sit down with Joe Davis , author of The Generous Leader , to explore what it really means to lead. Not through control, but through service, humility, and transformation. Joe shares stories from his personal journey, how his perspective on leadership has changed, and how generosity became the fou...

Rich Ortega is the founder of On The Rock Services , but he doesn't just run a business — he leads with intention. In this episode, Rich breaks down what it means to build a culture, set a standard, and lead with purpose in the skilled trades. From coaching his team to staying disciplined as an owner, this conversation covers what it takes to do business the right way — with accountability, hustle...

Join me in a raw and real conversation with Greg Christensen, host of CMMS Radio, as we dive into why genuine win-win situations are so elusive in business. Greg shares insights into maintaining integrity, navigating the complexities of rapid growth, and staying focused on adding real value. Whether you're leading teams, managing facilities, or scaling a business, Greg's perspectives on accountabi...

Luke Lunkenheimer is living proof that you can rewrite your story. In this episode of Blue Is The New White, he opens up about battling addiction, facing prison, and finding salvation in sales not just as a career, but as a purpose. This one hits hard. Luke doesn't sugarcoat the pain, the hustle, or the pressure. But he shows how discipline, mindset, and real human connection can turn everything a...

This week, I sat down with Shell Mendelson, an ADHD Career Coach with a powerful story and even stronger mission. We talked about what it's like to discover your neurodivergence later in life, how that changes everything, and why blue-collar careers could be the ideal match for people with ADHD. Shell's message is clear: ADHD doesn't hold you back... misunderstanding ADHD does. This episode is for...

In this episode of Blue Is The New White , Ryan Englin returns with a powerful reminder: leadership isn't about control, it's about connection. We talk about what it really means to care for your team, why emotional intelligence is the future of skilled trades leadership, and how to build a business people actually want to work for. Whether you're struggling to hire, retain, or inspire your people...

In this episode of Blue Is The New White, Josh Zolin sits down with Ken Rusk, entrepreneur and author of Blue Collar Cash , to unpack the realities of building a fulfilling and financially free life through the trades. Ken talks about hiring thousands of employees, discovering what motivates people, and how vision (not education) is the real key to success. From teaching others how to find their l...

Blue Is The New White #191.1 This week's Blue Is The New White recap shines a spotlight on Dave Consulo, Profit Coach and Trainer at BDR. In this clip, Dave breaks down the real power behind high-performing teams in the trades: mindset. It's not just about tools, tasks, or time. It's about the way your people think , feel , and grow inside your business. Don't miss this reminder that your business...

Blue Is The New White #191 This week on Blue Is The New White , I welcome Dave Consulo. Profit Coach, Trainer, and former technician who brings a unique perspective to business growth in the trades. With years in the field and now in front of teams across the country, Dave explains how true profitability begins with understanding, coaching, and clear communication. If you're a leader in the skille...

Blue Is The New White Podcast: Episode #190.1 The skilled trades industry is desperate for workers, yet women remain underrepresented. Why? Amy O'Grady, Executive Director of Women in HVACR, joined Blue Is The New White to discuss:  ✅ The biggest barriers keeping women from the trades ✅ How company culture plays a bigger role than you think ✅ Why recruitment strategies need to change ✅ Real-wo...

Blue Is The New White #190 The skilled trades are changing, and women are playing a crucial role in that evolution. On this episode of Blue Is The New White , Amy O'Grady, Executive Director of Women in HVACR, shares how businesses can challenge outdated hiring practices, create a more inclusive culture, and attract the best talent—regardless of gender. We discuss: ✅ Why culture is the #1 factor...

Blue Is The New White #189.1 The best leaders don't just manage, they coach. In this episode recap, we revisit an incredible conversation with Jason E. Brooks, a hospitality profitability expert who understands the real secret to leadership: creating a culture of ownership . Jason shares how shifting from a management mindset to a coaching mindset changes everything. When leaders empower their tea...

Blue Is The New White #189 🔥 Great leaders aren't just managers. They're COACHES. In this episode of Blue Is The New White , Jason E. Brooks reveals why business owners must embrace coaching as their ultimate leadership tool . Most owners juggle three mindsets daily : ✔ Managing (tasks and operations) ✔ Leading (vision and strategy) ✔ Coaching (empowering and developing people) Jason breaks down...

Blue Is The New White #188.1 Kurt Stenberg's entrepreneurial journey is built on ideas —but not just any ideas. The kind that spark innovation, drive growth, and build businesses .   If you've ever felt stuck, uninspired, or unsure of how to turn ideas into action—this episode is for you.   🎧 Full episode is available now wherever you get your podcasts

Blue Is The New White #188 The hardest lesson every entrepreneur must learn? Letting go of control. This week on Blue Is The New White , Kurt Stenberg (Cochrane Tree Care, Atmos Tree, Arborist Blueprint Podcast) shares what it really takes to grow a business while keeping your team engaged and your customers loyal . 📌 What You'll Learn: How to build a team that believes in your vision Why emotion...

Blue Is The New White #187.1 🛎️ Recap of my conversation with Joel Worthington, CFE from last weeks podcast I highly suggest giving this episode a listen. This is just a sample of the insight and wisdom Joel has to bring to the table 👇 ✔ The power of full ownership – If you're blaming the economy, the industry, or your team—you're already losing. ✔ Leaders build trust before they build systems –...

Blue Is The New White #187 Leadership isn't about titles or power—it's about earning trust, driving results, and taking responsibility. This week, I sit down with Joel Worthington, President of Mr. Electric   ⚡ In The Episode:  🔵 Why leadership = influence + achievement 🔵 The one mindset shift that separates great leaders from bad ones 🔵 Why trust & competency matter more than authority 🔵 The...

Blue Is The New White Podcast: Episode #186.1 This week, we recap our latest episode with Eddie Hightower of Caliber Collision on Blue Is The New White. 🚀 Key Takeaways: 🔵 Why skilled trades offer unmatched career freedom and security. 🔵 How apprenticeships transform lives and create opportunities.  🔵 The importance of connecting people and ideas for lasting impact. The trades are more essenti...