Executive Hustle Podcast with Kirsten Yurich

In the final episode for Season 2 of the Executive Hustle, I invite Catherine Hughes, a long time friend and colleague to tell her story. Imbedded are lessons for every leader, parent, and friend... Every leader says they listen. Few actually do.  Catherine Hughes learned the difference the hard way. At nineteen, a new mom trying to calm her son through a meltdown, she was arrested and jailed for...

In this episode of the Executive Hustle, former Nittany Lion and MVP Lee Rubin breaks it down. And I’m not talking football! As an alumni and fan, I wanted to – but we kept professional (mostly!). Lee Rubin was voted captain of just about every team he ever played on, including the Penn State Nittany Lions. Not because he was the biggest or the fastest. Because he embodied the principles his teamm...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Carrie Traeger and Kirsten dive deep into Carrie's long and successful career. Carrie has a gravatas that any person or team who knows her, benefits from. Carrie spent her early career as a body blocker. CFO of RDG Companies, 30+ years in one company, she thought loving her team meant standing in front of every hit coming their way. The hardest...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Rebecca Richwine and Kirsten cover life, leadership, the unexpected and everything in between. Becki Richwine spent 20 years learning that over-functioning isn't leadership. As SVP of Operations at Merakey, she scaled children's services across six states and 800+ employees, but her biggest growth came when she stopped trying to control ev...

SUMMARY:  In this episode, Kirsten interviews Stacy Winslow, Superintendent of Derry Township School District. She shares her journey from a seven-year-old who knew she'd be a life-long teacher to leading one of Pennsylvania's most innovative districts. She opens up about stepping into the superintendent role just months after COVID shut everything down, why she implemented one of the ar...

In the final installment of this 3-part series "Master These Three Things to Be a Successful Leader," we tackle the leadership paradox that stops most executives cold: You got here by DOING, but your next chapter is about BEING.  It is your being that is the key to leading others well. Discover the three vital levers that transform a group of individuals into an unstoppable team - and wh...

SUMMARY:  In this episode, Kirsten interviews Mary Quinn, President and CEO of YWCA Greater Harrisburg. Mary shares her journey from government relations to leading an $8 million nonprofit serving 10,000 individuals annually. This powerful conversation explores the evolution of her leadership philosophy through personal tragedy, the difference between seeking feedback versus consensus, and how to...

In this episode, Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, President and CEO of Central Penn College and Kirsten, discuss Linda's remarkable journey from radio personality "Lynn Kelly" to leading a $19 million educational institution forging a new path in today’s changing secondary education landscape. This conversation explores the intersection of motherhood and executive leadership, the power...

Senior leaders don't fail from lack of effort—they fail from building weak systems and tracking the wrong results. This episode breaks down the essential domain of "leading things" and reveals why your ability to harness systems and processes determines whether you (and your organization) will thrive or just survive. Part of the essential 3-domain leadership framework: Leading Yours...

In this episode, Matt and Kirsten dive deep into the lessons of failure, what culture really mean, conflict on a leadership team, and a refreshing definition of alignment. Matt Foss transforms leaders and teams using the EOS framework. From a multi-generational "business family" and a not so hot football record, Matt discovered that losing seasons teach resilience better than victories. ...

Welcome to Season Two! In this first episode, Troy Peters, CEO of 152-year-old Jonestown Bank & Trust, shares with Kirsten how a community bank maintains relevance through authentic culture and long-term thinking. In an era where big business appears to dominate and private equity tries to consolidate the ‘little guy,’ Troy and JBT offer an alternative that capitalizes on the strength of the c...

In this Year in Review episode the special moments, conversations, stories, and highlights of the past year are shared.  This first year of the Executive Hustle has provided our listening community with many relatable stories of success, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.  Weaved through our guests' stories are the values of curiosity, vulnerability, and ownership. Each story shares a...

As we approach ONE YEAR for the Executive Hustle podcast we celebrate by  REVISITED our very first episode.  In it Justin Leader and Kirsten Yurich discuss the childhood lessons that carry us forward in business and life, the importance of filling your gaps as a leader and the art of listening.  Justin Leader’s BIO: Justin is Founder and CEO of BenefitsDNA an independent health and welfare benefit...

Summary In this special bonus episode of Executive Hustle, Kirsten explores self-leadership as the most challenging of the three leadership domains (leading self, leading others, and leading things). She explains how mastering self-leadership is essential before effectively leading teams or driving results, especially for C-suite leaders who no longer have someone dedicated to their development. T...

Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas shares his journey from pastor to public servant, revealing how his diverse experiences across five states shaped his approach to leadership. With remarkable candor, Justin discusses his most challenging leadership moment—when he lost his pastoral position, church resources, and livelihood for standing up for LGBT inclusion. Now as a commissioner overseei...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Fali and Kirsten talk about his journey across healthcare sectors and how this unique set of experiences shaped Fali’s uncommon leadership approach. Moving from dialysis to veterinary care to autism services, Fali developed a philosophy centered on "results through relationships" that challenges traditional leadership models. What makes ou...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Javan and Kirsten unpack “underwater management,” what it is like to be promoted quickly and learn along the way. Javan learned some very important lessons early in his career that continue to help him to this day. A few very specific keys to leadership success are shared including the most undervalued asset, curiosity.   Spoiler, while Javan loves...

In this episode, Kurt and Kirsten uncover how a childhood fascination with a boat-side sign painter blossomed into a thriving visual arts enterprise spanning three decades. Unlike many business leaders, Kurt never planned to build a company—he simply pursued his artistic curiosity, constantly challenging himself with "I bet I could do that." A mindset that permeates his business to this...

In this episode, Kirsten grills story strategist Matt Zaun on how leaders can harness the power of storytelling!  Not campfire stories, something we can ALL DO in order to connect with audiences, inspire teams, and drive business results. It's called: Strategic Storytelling.  And Matt is the expert!  Matt shares his origin story - from a humbling public speaking 'flub' to developing...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Scott Walters and Kirsten discuss how the motto “We Love People” drives a successful and profitable business in an industry that from the outside would seem hard to staff – sanitation! When you deal with ‘that’ that work has to be about the people! Scott takes listeners on a journey of family, faith, and business. He offers some keys to success that...

In this short BONUS episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Kirsten introduces the three areas every leader must master.  Three simple areas. Yet as we know, simple isn’t always easy, but we must start somewhere.   Great leaders master 3 areas:  1.     Leading things: numbers, process, outcomes, systems; they get ‘stuff’ done. 2.     Leading others: whether you have one direct report or scaffolds...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Mary Oliveira and Kirsten dive into a ‘decade of discovery’ and what that can mean for a leader in transition. Mary has an amazing story from a history banking, to being a living organ donor, to a non-profit leader – she will hit home with just about anyone in the #hustle.  We explore the ‘emotional elevator’ that can hijack so many young leaders, w...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, I explore the journey of creation and security with my guest Drew Yerger, managing partner at Legacy Partners Wealth Management.  Drew shares his journey from aspiring farmer to wealth management maven. Through early influences of his father's entrepreneurial pivot and a summer mentor named Jim, Drew developed a love for process and helping oth...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Dr. Tierney and Kirsten dive into sleep and stress – two topics that executives need to take seriously and know more about to optimize their performance in the board room.  If you want to make better decisions as a leader, it starts with sleep. Tune in for some medical theory, the great story of a local leader, and certainly, practical advice you ca...

In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, I explore the journey and impact of Jesse Greider, President of Perpetual Equity Group. Starting out as chimney sweep to today leading a successful private equity firm, Jesse breaks traditional molds in more than one way. What will stick out to listeners is his innovative approach to PE - making private equity accessible to middle-class investors wh...