Igniting the CEO Within

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Herman Armstrong, founder of Kathairo Solutions, to unpack what separates great leaders from average ones through the lens of self awareness, emotional intelligence, and cultural intelligence. Herman shares how leaders can build trust and cohesion by understanding their own culture, recognizing differences in communication styles, and approachin...

Mark McFatridge speaks with Mark Voytek, founding partner of Next Stage Trajectory, about what he looks for in founders before investing or committing to a long-term growth partnership. They unpack how startups escape the one to ten million ARR valley by sharpening a unique value proposition, selling outcomes instead of features, and building coachable leadership habits. Mark also shares practical...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge speaks with Juan Calahorrano, President and CEO of JLC and Associates, about how great leadership is built through trust, presence, and clarity. Juan shares how showing up consistently, understanding your role in the bigger mission, and putting people in positions to win drives long-term performance. He also reflects on the importanc...

In this episode, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Galen Bingham, CEO of Kiln Global Coaching and Consulting, to break down the three priorities of great leadership: vision, barrier removal, and inspiration. Galen explains why emotional intelligence starts with self awareness and how leaders can grow by focusing on intent versus impact. He also shares his ABCs of success framework to build stron...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with Ryan Wilkins, CEO of Wilkins Collective, to unpack what separates great leaders from average ones: authenticity and genuine care. Ryan shares why people remember how leaders make them feel, and how being fully yourself builds trust, clarity, and stronger teams. They also explore how hard seasons can deepen self awareness an...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge talks with Joel Arnold, founder and CEO of Arnold GTM Advisors, about what separates great leaders from average ones. Joel shares how calm under pressure and emotional intelligence can be learned, and why leaders should meet people where they are instead of managing everyone the same. He also explains the power of mentors and advocat...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge interviews Dennis Klemp, CEO and Principal of Vision 2 Results Consulting, Coaching, about what separates great leaders from ineffective ones. Dennis shares how the strongest leaders "walk the talk," build trust through reliability and selfless orientation, and set clear expectations by defining specific behaviors instead of vague go...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Tim Molek, founder and executive coach at Molek Leadership Exchange, to explore what separates great leaders from struggling ones. Tim explains how strong leaders adapt their style to the situation, lead with clear mission and goals, and build trust by asking thoughtful questions that uncover the "why" behind decisions...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge interviews Jim Hamilton, owner and CEO of Jim Hamilton Business Coach, about what separates great leaders from average ones. Jim shares how the best leaders stay curious, listen well, and coach through questions instead of ego-driven "I know it all" directives. He also explains how documenting and refining clear business processes, b...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with John Neal, founder of The Neal Group, to discuss what truly defines effective leadership after decades in business. John shares insights on building strong teams, leading with a hands-off management style, and why clarity around ideal clients and pricing is essential for long-term success. The conversation also explore...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Tracy Bednar, founder and CEO of Tracy Bednar Executive Coaching, to explore what truly separates exceptional leaders from the rest. Tracy introduces the concept of humble confidence, contrasting grounded leadership with ego-driven behavior, and shares how self-awareness, authenticity, and strengths-based leadership fu...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Joe Bohringer, CEO and principal of KJ Advisors, to explore what truly separates great leaders from the rest. Drawing on decades of experience in professional sports and consulting, Joe shares insights on building team identity, aligning people with vision, and knowing when to lead as a boss, coach, teacher, or consult...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge speaks with Roman Jimenez, a seasoned leader with decades of experience across multiple professional "acts." Roman shares why listening to understand, curiosity, authenticity, and empathy are the core traits that separate great leaders from average ones, and how those skills build trust and long-term engagement. He also reflects on l...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Christopher Tipper, founder and CEO of Hunter Benefits, for an energetic and insightful conversation on leadership. Christopher shares why curiosity is the defining trait of great leaders, how it shapes company culture, and why creating a safe, empowered environment allows teams to thrive. He also reflects on lessons l...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge speaks with Tony Thomas, former Executive Director of Welcome House, about leading with compassion and empathy in complex organizations. Tony shares powerful real world stories from his career that show how human centered leadership builds trust, resilience, and stronger teams. The conversation also explores balancing mission driven work...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge speaks with Mary Williams, a fractional HR and people operations executive and owner of her own HR consultancy. Mary shares how self awareness and the concept of Ikigai help CEOs focus on their highest value, build complementary teams, and lead with purpose at scale. The conversation also explores the power of community, intentional...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Michaun Elise Winborn, founder and owner of Born2Win Coaching, to explore what truly differentiates great leaders from average ones. Michaun shares powerful insights on leading with curiosity, slowing down to listen, and how self-awareness, cultural intelligence, and interrupting bias can dramatically improve leadershi...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge speaks with Chad Ackerman, founder and CEO of CARE (Chad Ackerman Real Estate), about the leadership lessons that shaped his career pivot from corporate HR to real estate entrepreneurship. Chad shares how surrounding yourself with the right mentors, advisors, and advocates accelerates growth, sharpens decision making, and builds enga...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge speaks with Debra Clary, leadership strategist and owner of The Clary Group. Debra shares why curiosity is a strategic advantage for leaders and how creating a culture that encourages questions drives stronger engagement and performance. The conversation explores how curiosity can be measured, developed, and used to empower teams for...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge speaks with Dr. Carole Garth, veteran education leader and owner of her education consulting practice. Dr. Garth shares hard earned lessons on self awareness, balancing soft and hard leadership skills, and leading with purpose rather than pride. The conversation explores how reflection, experience, and listening deeply shape ethical, effe...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with Jacob Yang, founder and CEO of Amp Your Story, to explore consultative leadership and the power of curiosity. Jacob shares how removing barriers, empowering teams, and leading with mission alignment drive stronger engagement and performance. The conversation also dives into building community, balancing speed with intention...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, Mark McFatridge sits down with Kelly Coughlin, CEO of EveryDayCPA, to explore the leadership lessons learned through decades of experience and hard earned mistakes. Kelly shares why great leaders identify and address mistakes quickly, foster cultures where teams feel safe to challenge ideas, and prioritize collaboration over ego. The conversation also hi...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Christopher Thompson, CEO of Core Inclusive Consulting, to explore what truly differentiates great leaders. Christopher shares why presence, self awareness, and seeing the human behind every decision are foundational to effective leadership. The conversation offers practical insights on listening with context, leading...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge welcomes Robert Fletcher, a seasoned physician assistant and healthcare leader, to discuss what truly differentiates exceptional leaders. Drawing from his experience at organizations like the VA Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente, Robert shares how trust, self-awareness, and understanding both the big picture and day-to-day realiti...

In this episode of Igniting the CEO Within, host Mark McFatridge sits down with Melissa Whitaker, founder and CEO of Melissa Whitaker International, to explore why resiliency is the defining trait that separates great leaders and companies from the rest. Melissa shares powerful insights on how resiliency can be taught through coaching, community, and real-world experience, while balancing accounta...