Igniting the CEO Within

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with executive coach Denny Morrow to discuss the hidden pressures and personal challenges that often cause high-performing CEOs to fail. Drawing parallels from the Minneapolis bridge collapse, Denny shares powerful insights on leadership, stress management, self-awareness, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people w...

In this episode of Ignite the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with Sarah Krom, Managing Partner of SKC & Company, to discuss her journey through the accounting industry and how SKC evolved into a strategic advisory firm focused on helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Sarah shares insights on leadership, the changing role of CPAs in the age of AI, and why building strong relationships...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Hadassah Jacobs, CEO of Hadassah Jacobs International, to explore the leadership traits CEOs need to thrive in today's AI-driven business landscape. Hadassah shares powerful insights on recognizing patterns, building strong operational "root systems," and leveraging AI to create scalable growth and empowered teams. The...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Kelli Schutrop, CEO and founder of Thoughtful Resound, to discuss the leadership traits that truly set great leaders apart. Kelli shares powerful insights on the importance of curiosity, emotional intelligence, and leading with kindness, while reflecting on personal career experiences that shaped her approach to leader...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with Wendy Hood, co-founder and CEO of Leadership for the Future, to explore what separates exceptional leaders from the rest. Wendy shares powerful insights on leading through people, building trust through honest feedback, and helping leaders transition from high performing operators into empowering, strategic leaders. Listene...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with Igor Tutelman, managing partner of Iota Finance, to discuss leadership, delegation, and the mindset shifts required for entrepreneurial growth. Igor shares why learning to relinquish control, stay focused on core priorities, and build accountability through clear vision are essential traits of successful CEOs and founders....

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with Monty Fowler, co-founder and managing partner of Aspire Six, to discuss leadership, company culture, and the evolving role of CEOs in today's AI-driven world. Monty shares why intentional culture building, authentic leadership, and learning to work on the business rather than in it are critical for long-term growth and succ...

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Debbi McCullough, Founder/CEO and Executive Communications Coach of Hanging Rock, to explore the key traits that set exceptional leaders apart, namely creativity and bravery. Debbie shares powerful stories from her work as an Executive Communications Coach at Hanging Rock, illustrating how embracing discomfort, building visibility, and communica...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Walt Melcher, CEO of Bold Value Partners, to discuss what separates great leaders from the rest. Walt highlights the importance of clear vision, honest self-awareness, and investing in people and systems that enable teams to execute effectively. He also shares how aligning purpose, reducing distractions, and building s...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge talks with Hector Barresi, industrial business consultant and executive coach at Sextant International, about the key traits that distinguish great leaders. Hector shares that effective leaders combine clear vision and strategy with the ability to empower teams, delegate authority, and execute through strong processes. He also emphas...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Maureen Metcalf, CEO and founder of the Innovative Leadership Institute, to discuss what sets exceptional leaders apart. Maureen emphasizes the importance of integrity, ethical decision-making, and aligning personal and organizational values to build trust, retain talent, and drive long-term success. She also explores...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Ken Stasiak, CEO and founder of NegotiatorIQ, to explore what separates great leaders from the rest. Ken shares that effective leadership starts with strong listening skills, emotional intelligence, and creating intentional space for meaningful conversations that build trust and empower teams. He also discusses the imp...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge sits down with Alex Draper, founder and CEO of DX Learning, to explore the leadership habits that reduce friction and build high-performing teams. Alex shares why ego is the biggest leadership barrier and introduces his CARE framework to drive clarity, trust, and alignment. He also dives into the importance of curiosity, self-awareness, and defining what winning tr...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge interviews Brook Gratia, president and founder of Edgewater CPA Group, about her unconventional journey into accounting and her mission to reduce stress for business owners. Brooke shares how her experiences led her to go beyond traditional accounting by helping clients navigate both financial strategy and the mental barriers holding them back. She also discusses t...

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Daryl Lawrence, a leadership and career coach who runs his own coaching practice, to explore what truly separates great leaders from the rest. Daryl shares powerful insights on why effective leaders step back to empower others, remove fear from their teams, and focus on developing people, even if it means helping them grow beyond the organizatio...

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Courtney De Ronde, CEO of Forge Financial and Management Consulting, to explore how great leaders must grow faster than their organizations to successfully scale. Courtney shares insights on "time traveling" as a leader, balancing future vision with present execution while building a strong leadership team to sustain growth. Drawing from her exp...

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Joe Feest, business coach at Focal Point Business Coaching, to discuss the foundational role of trust and respect in effective leadership. Joe shares practical strategies for building credibility in the first 100 days, emphasizing authenticity, listening, and addressing low-hanging opportunities before making major changes. Drawing from his expe...

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge sits down with retired Lieutenant General Milford Beagle, Jr., founder of Beags and Associates, to explore the core traits that define exceptional leadership. Beagle shares insights on the power of influence, accountability, adaptability, and the importance of helping every team member see their role in a larger mission. Drawing from his military and executive...

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge interviews Keith Karchmar, President and CEO of K&H Wealth Partners, about the key traits that drive success among top-performing leaders. Keith highlights discipline and patience as essential qualities, emphasizing the importance of process, teamwork, and staying focused amid distractions. He also shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and building strong...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge sits down with Becky Ivory, founder of Trifecta Coaching and Consulting, to explore the key traits that separate great leaders from the rest. Becky shares her "head, hands, and heart" framework, emphasizing alignment, trust, and the importance of adding value to others. She also discusses how leaders can build strong cultures, navigate tough decisions, and avoid bu...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge sits down with Megan Kane, Executive Director of Rellia, to explore what separates successful founders and CEOs from the rest. Megan highlights the importance of coachability and consistency, along with the need to balance big-picture thinking with daily execution. She also shares how Rellia fosters a powerful community of founders and experts to accelerate learnin...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge sits down with Andrew Donofrio, a personal and professional growth coach and founder of Andrew Donofrio Coaching, to explore how leadership, mindset, and purpose shape long-term success. Andrew shares his journey from law enforcement to entrepreneurship and coaching, emphasizing the importance of developing the whole person to drive meaningful growth. They also div...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge sits down with Mike Walker, executive coach and founder of Dynamic Decisions Coaching and Consulting, to explore how curiosity and a learner's mindset set great leaders apart. Mike shares how effective leaders approach decision-making as a learning process, using structured frameworks to ask better questions, challenge assumptions, and drive stronger outcomes. He a...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge interviews Dr. Debra Lind, CEO and educator at Nehemiah Consulting, about the power of presence and purpose-driven leadership. Dr. Lind shares how great leaders create impact by being fully present, serving others with intention, and building strong, values-based cultures. She also introduces her philosophy of using challenges as opportunities for growth, helping o...

In this episode, Mark McFatridge interviews Ali Merchant, Principal L&D Consultant and Executive Coach at All-In Manager, about the critical leadership skill of having difficult conversations. Ali shares how avoiding discomfort damages relationships, while leaning into compassionate candor builds trust, accountability, and stronger team performance. He also provides practical frameworks for delive...