Frame of Reference - Profiles in Leadership

Send us Fan Mail As a sales professional, your numbers can look like a skill gap when the real problem is the story running in your head. I’m joined by Geoffrey Reid, whose career arc is almost unfair: public policy analyst, negotiation and conflict resolution educator, then a leap into sales with zero experience, followed by standout results and leadership at scale. That background sets up a cand...

Send us Fan Mail A goofy Star Trek warm-up turns into something unexpectedly human when Scott Scoble opens up about the moments that shaped him. Scott runs Moo TV, a live concert video production company trusted on major tours, and he’s also the author of Tenacious. Behind the LED walls and camera rigs is a story about grief, pressure, and what it takes to keep showing up when you’re not okay. We...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a dedicated Democratic warrior realizes her certainty was built on sand? We sit down with Lisa Ekman—former DC lobbyist, Senate staffer, and now author of Deprogramming Democrats—to unpack how a crisis of trust pushed her to question authority, confront cognitive dissonance, and reclaim the courage to ask uncomfortable questions. It’s a personal story with nation...

Send us Fan Mail What if your software teams operated like a special operations unit—small, focused, and relentless about the mission? That’s the lens Ben Johnson brings to the table as a serial technical co‑founder and CEO of Particle 41, where he’s helped launch 94 products and build elite, outcome‑driven teams across software, data, and cloud. We dive into the turning points that shaped his lea...

Send us Fan Mail A massive heart attack at 2 a.m., a choice to stay, and a vow to be useful—John Stewart Hill turned a brush with death into a movement that protects homeowners and celebrates great tradespeople. I sat down with John, founder and chief ambassador of The Good Contractors List, to unpack how a third-party guarantee and serious vetting can transform an anxious, two-way agreement into...

Send us Fan Mail A rifle on a rooftop isn’t a movie moment—it’s a profound responsibility. We sit with retired Canadian Army sniper Barry Nisbet and author and former U.S. Army Ranger Mir Bahmanyar to unpack what snipers really do when deployed to places like Bosnia and Afghanistan and why their new book, Send It, pushes past the myths of their missions and duties. Barry brings the ground truth fr...

Send us Fan Mail Outrage is easy. Unity is a choice—and a craft. I sat down with Adam Mizel, co-founder of Us United, to map out how everyday people can shift our culture from division to respect without waiting on politicians or viral headlines. Adam shares the origin story sparked by Sheriff Chris Swanson’s powerful decision during the George Floyd protests to remove his riot gear and walk with...

Send us Fan Mail What if the most important part of your financial plan isn’t your portfolio, but your people? We sit down with Ian Freeman—longtime wealth advisor known for leading with compassion—to explore why protection should come first, how listening outperforms pitching, and what it really means to say, “You’re going to be okay.” Ian shares the moment a 9/11 loss reshaped his mission, the p...

Send us Fan Mail What if the most faithful thing we can do is slow down, listen, and heal before we preach? That’s the challenge and invitation at the heart of our conversation with Cathy Lins, director of Gather My Lost Sheep, whose work equips parishes and dioceses to respond wisely to trauma and help priests flourish. We talk candidly about why people in crisis often come to the Church first, h...

Send us Fan Mail What if paying protesters made movements more honest instead of less? We sit down with Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, to unpack how compensated advocacy actually works, why protests are context builders rather than public headcounts, and how to navigate a media ecosystem that rewards outrage over nuance. Adam pulls back the curtain on strategy: where you rally, what you say,...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you strip away ego and embrace humility as your guiding principle? David Price's extraordinary journey from twenty years of drug addiction to becoming a millionaire insurance entrepreneur provides a powerful answer. David's story begins at rock bottom – homeless, broke, and battling an addiction that had consumed two decades of his life. After getting c...

Send us Fan Mail When global tensions flare, it's often what's happening behind the scenes that matters most. In this thought-provoking episode, we dig into the complex relationship between domestic politics and international conflicts, focusing on the recent escalation between Israel and Iran. We begin by examining the abandoned Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – the Iran Nucl...

Send us Fan Mail "What's going on today in our world?" asks Rauel as he and Antowan dive deep into one of the most controversial pieces of legislation currently making waves across America – the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill." This powerful conversation exposes the troubling psychology behind American politics today, where questioning has become threatening and dissent is...

Send us Fan Mail Jim Carlough, accomplished business strategist and author, shares his six pillars of effective leadership, emphasizing integrity as the foundation that makes all other leadership qualities possible. Through compelling stories from his 30-year career, he demonstrates how integrity combined with empathy creates environments where people thrive even through difficult transitions. • I...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when Olympic-level athleticism meets theatrical creativity? Kerstin Schulze embodies this fascinating intersection, sharing her remarkable journey from winning a Junior Olympics silver medal in heptathlon at age 12 to her current role as a kung fu nanny on HBO's "The Righteous Gemstones." The conversation reveals Kerstin's refreshing philosophy on...

Send us Fan Mail Democracy stands at a pivotal crossroads with the introduction of the SAVE Act (Safeguard Americans Voter Eligibility Act), a deceptively named piece of legislation that threatens to fundamentally alter who can participate in our electoral process. Hosts Rauel LaBreche and Antowan Hallmon Sr. pull back the curtain on this dangerous federal bill, exposing how it would require docum...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when we allow catchy slogans and fear-based rhetoric to shape our understanding of diversity and inclusion? Rauel and Antowan tackle this question head-on as they dissect the troubling misconceptions surrounding DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies in America. The duo doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths, examining how phrases like "We Will...

Send us Fan Mail The weaponization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has become one of the most troubling developments in our current cultural and political landscape. We dive deep into how DEI—a framework designed to create more representative and equitable institutions—has been deliberately transformed into a divisive political issue through coordinated misinformation campaigns. Our conversati...

Send us Fan Mail Democratic Representative Al Green stood up during Trump's congressional address and declared "no mandate" when Trump claimed a mandate to cut Medicaid. For this truth-telling, Green was escorted out and later censured—with even ten Democrats joining the rebuke. This incident exposes a disturbing double standard: when Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" at Obama...

Send us Fan Mail The recent neo-Nazi incident in Evaondale, Ohio, shocked many and has raised critical conversations about the current state of race relations in America. As a group of white supremacists displayed their flags strategically across a bridge leading into a primarily Black neighborhood, the community was left grappling with fear and outrage. This episode of our podcast unpacks the lay...

Send us Fan Mail What can we learn from the bond between humans and dogs? Discover how the loving relationships we share with our pets can teach us about unity, cooperation, and understanding in our own communities. Join us as Rauel and Antowan lead a conversation on transcending unnecessary conflicts and tensions, focusing on the power of love and mutual support to achieve remarkable success. Wit...

Send us Fan Mail Picture this: You're all set to record the perfect podcast episode, but just as the conversation gets going, you realize the camera isn't on. We kick things off with a light-hearted tale of our own technical challenges before diving into the serious issue of climate change, inspired by Wisconsin's unusually warm weather. This episode isn't just about environmen...

Send us Fan Mail This episode delves into the complexities of 2025 and the interplay between personal struggles and societal change. Antowan and Rauel emphasize the importance of humility, open dialogue, and education as essential tools in overcoming division and fostering a compassionate society. • Discussing feelings of anticipation and anxiety for 2025  • Reflecting on the importance of family...

Send us Fan Mail What if the very beliefs you hold dear are rooted in deception? Join us as we unravel the complex web of lies and manipulation that shape our society. We start with a light-hearted look at the weather in Wisconsin, contrasting it with the timeless, uplifting truths of the gospel. Our discussion navigates through the slippery landscapes of political promises and misleading advertis...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever been thrown a curveball in life and wondered how to knock it out of the park? Join me, Rauel Labrèche, as I engage in a heartwarming and enlightening conversation with Mike Coy, a man whose life epitomizes turning trials into triumphs. From swinging bats to shaping futures, Mike's journey from an aspiring baseball player to a financial planner with a zealous com...