Leaders on Fire Podcast

Culture doesn’t change because of a poster on the wall; it changes when leaders make people their next priority after purpose. We dig into what that looks like day to day and why simple, repeatable behaviors—listening well, recognizing effort, and showing up alongside your team—move engagement and performance faster than any new process. You’ll hear a real turnaround story from an acquired branch...

Ever feel like you’re sprinting a marathon and still slipping behind? We dig into the hidden mechanics of pace and show how it sits at the center of purpose, people, perception, and profit. Using Iron Man racing as a vivid lens, we unpack why fueling, recovery, and cadence decisions determine whether your team finishes strong or flames out. If you’ve ever watched a high performer go “zombie mode”...

Clarity isn’t luck; it’s built. We take a hard look at perception as the quiet force behind great leadership—how you see yourself, your people, your pace, and your future—and why leaders who slow down actually move farther, faster. Through honest stories and practical frameworks, we unpack four pillars that sharpen the lens: clarity of vision, discernment, self-awareness, and reality checks. Miss...

Profit isn’t the villain; misplaced priorities are. We wrap the Prioritized Leader journey by showing how purpose, people, pace, and perception create the conditions for healthy profit—and why what you do with margin determines your true impact. You’ll hear a vulnerable story about profit anxiety quietly steering decisions, the relief that comes from realignment, and the freedom of shifting from o...

What if the order of your priorities is the reason your team feels stretched, your strategy feels foggy, and your results feel fragile? We dig into a simple sequence—purpose, people, pace, perception, profit—that quietly rewires how leaders decide, communicate, and grow. Drawing from our own journey in a family business shaped by stewardship and generosity, we share how putting purpose first and p...

Fire needs fuel—our leadership needs purpose. We dive straight into the why behind the work, tracing the moments that shaped our convictions and the practices that keep them alive. From a powerful birth story that reset identity to three years serving in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, we unpack how a clear purpose turns fear into focus and even gives meaning to hardship. The thread runs from the...

What happens when a successful church leader suddenly finds himself overwhelmed by anxiety and intrusive thoughts? Michael Poorman, Executive Pastor of Mission Point Community Church, takes us on a powerful journey through his unexpected mental health crisis and the transformative lessons he learned in the darkness. Michael's story begins like many ministry leaders - steadily taking on more r...

What happens when personal tragedy reshapes your entire approach to leadership? Matt Binkerd, Athletic Director at Warsaw Community High School, opens up about the midnight phone call that changed everything—his 20-year-old nephew had died at a college party. This devastating loss forced Matt to confront how sports were pushing faith to the margins of his family's life. From the crucible of g...

What if your greatest challenges are actually precious opportunities for transformation? Brent Wildman knows this truth intimately. At 60 years old, he completed his first Ironman triathlon. At 72, he just finished his 12th. But these physical feats merely symbolize a deeper reality he's discovered through decades of business leadership and ministry. "Life itself is the crucible experien...

What does it truly mean to be a "leader on fire"? In this profound conversation with Steve Longbreak, we discover that authentic leadership often emerges not from displaying strength, but from embracing vulnerability through childlike faith. At 73, Steve brings decades of wisdom from his journey as a Christian school administrator, founder of Race to Win Ministries, and his work with Syl...

What if your greatest failures are actually divine refinement in disguise? Bob Vitoux knows this transformation firsthand. Growing up in a tiny Indiana town with a father who taught him to "make others the hero," Bob became the first in his family to attend college. Through his journey from public accounting to executive leadership in orthopedics, Bob discovered that leadership isn'...

Ever found yourself in the middle of a challenge so grueling that quitting seems not just reasonable, but necessary? Drew Scholl takes you to the heart of the Madison Wisconsin Ironman triathlon—where relentless rain, punishing winds, and near-freezing temperatures created what many called the most brutal race conditions they'd ever witnessed. Through vivid storytelling, Drew recounts how nea...

Kirk Burnett's journey from broken to bold reveals the transformative power of crucible moments in leadership development. When Kirk first joined Wildman Business Group, he described himself as directionless—focused on partying and self-gratification with no real compass for his life. What he encountered at Wildman was a culture unlike anything he'd experienced before, centered on authen...

When successful entrepreneurs and creatives face crucibles of transformation, what emerges on the other side? In this vulnerable conversation with Bible Project founders Tim Mackie and John Collins, we journey into the heart of what it means to surrender identity and embrace divine redirection. John Collins shares the wrenching year-long process of selling his business – a decision that threatened...

In this insightful episode, we are joined by John and Tim, the founders of the Bible Project, as they share their crucible moment. They narrate their own personal journeys, detailing how they found purpose and strength in adversity, reminding us that trials can refine and mold us into effective leaders on fire. Throughout our conversation, we discuss the interplay between faith, challenges, and tr...

What happens when a semi-professional wakeboarder faces a life-changing injury and finds unexpected purpose in the family business? Join us as we sit down with Josh Wildman, CEO of Wildman Business Group, who shares his journey from aspiring athlete to successful business leader. With nearly 500 employees across seven locations, Josh's story is one of growth, faith, and unforeseen paths. Disc...

What happens when a commercial contractor finds himself on a transformative journey into the heart of community service? Eric Lane, the founder and executive director of Fellowship Missions, joins us to share his fascinating transition from project management to leading a nonprofit in Warsaw, Indiana, that supports those struggling with homelessness and addiction. Drawn by a construction project a...

Have you ever pondered the impact of the 'birth lottery' and how it shapes lives and opportunities? Join us as Riley Fuller, the passionate visionary behind Humanity and Hope United and Generous Coffee, takes us through his inspiring journey of purpose-driven leadership. Riley's life story, enriched by his unwavering faith and a pivotal moment of revelation in 2013, sheds light on h...

What drives someone to leave everything they know and start anew in a foreign land? Meet Shaé Brown, the inspiring founder and executive director of the Kutoa Project, whose profound journey from growing up in foster care in Warsaw, Indiana, to becoming a beacon of change in Kenya is nothing short of remarkable. Shea's story is one of triumph over trauma, revealing how personal challenges sha...

How does a small-town enthusiast become a visionary leader in the media industry? Meet Mason Geiger, the creative genius and CEO behind DreamOn Studios, as he joins us to share his remarkable journey. From his early love of cycling and endurance sports to his passion for storytelling, Mason's journey in this tale of resilience, faith, and leadership. As Mason recounts the pivotal moments in h...

Ever wondered how life's toughest challenges can forge you into a leader with unbreakable resilience? Join me, Drew Scholl, on this enlightening episode of the Leaders on Fire podcast as we explore the concept of crucible moments—those intense experiences that test our limits but ultimately refine us into stronger individuals. Drawing wisdom from the scriptures and the book of James, we unpac...

On the surface, Beth Rooney's career transition from the medical device industry to the nonprofit sector might seem like a leap, but her inspiring narrative reveals a path defined by passion and purpose. Teaming up with Rod Meyer, Beth began her journey with C4One as a volunteer, eventually embracing a full-time role as the Administrative Director. Our conversation with Beth offers a profound...

What if life's toughest challenges were actually opportunities in disguise? Join us on the Leaders on Fire Podcast as we sit down with Keith Sampson, a dynamic serial entrepreneur and thought leader, who exemplifies the art of balancing business success with personal growth. Keith shares his incredible journey from Maryland to the heart of Indiana, where the communities of Winona Lake and War...

What happens when your faith is tested to the point of transformation? Join us on this compelling episode of the Leaders on Fire podcast as we sit down with Rod Mayer, a leader whose journey of faith and personal growth has redefined his approach to life and leadership. Rod opens up about finding his purpose through a deep relationship with Christ, which has shaped his roles as a husband, father,...