Leadership Backstage Podcast

Every once in a while, I sit down with someone whose leadership journey stays with me long after the microphones are turned off — and my conversation with Michael Bistline was one of those moments. What struck me most about Mike wasn’t just the breadth of his experience — from Marine Corps discipline to building a thriving business, to stepping into the unfamiliar territory of becoming an employee...

When I first met Nate Wakeford, I knew this conversation would be different. Nate built one of Australia’s leading specialty beverage companies, supplying thousands of cafes and even tech giants like Google and Twitter. By all accounts, he had “made it.” But what happens when success and comfort still leave you feeling empty? In this episode of Leadership Backstage, I go behind the curtain with Na...

I had the privilege of sitting down with Jason Fralick, President and CEO of HRG, for this episode of Leadership Backstage. Jason’s story is incredible; he went from a college graduate to leading an engineering services firm with over 400 employees. What makes HRG unique? Their commitment to employee ownership through an ESOP. In our conversation, Jason shares the benefits and challenges of buildi...

Hi, I’m Claudia Williams, and this episode of Leadership Backstage is one you don’t want to miss. I had the privilege of sitting down with Mark Bonsall, former president of Conrad Siegel, to talk about his incredible journey from introverted number cruncher to respected leader. Mark opens up about the challenges of leadership, the power of mentorship, and how sports shaped his approach to personal...

I had the privilege of sitting down with Mary Quinn, CEO of YWCA Harrisburg, for one of the most inspiring conversations I’ve ever had on Leadership Backstage. Mary’s story moved me deeply—from growing up in a poor, working-class family in Detroit to leading a major nonprofit that impacts thousands of lives. She opened up about balancing full-time work with night school, overcoming the devastating...

What does leadership really look like when the cameras are off? In this episode of Leadership Backstage, I sit down with Amy Murray, Partner at Pavone Group, for a conversation that goes beyond titles and success stories. We talk honestly about what it means to be a partner — the responsibility, the sleepless nights, the weight of decisions, and the moments that test you in ways no job description...

In this episode of Leadership Backstage, host Claudia Williams sits down with Steve Williams, a leading expert in landlord-tenant law and the managing partner of Cohen Segs Palace, Greenhall, and Furman. Steve shares his remarkable journey from working in a small real estate firm to leading a multi-state national law practice. Discover how he approaches leadership, business development, rainmaker-...

In this episode of Leadership Backstage, we sit down with Betsy Hamm, whose career journey spans from a marketing intern at Hershey to the CEO of Duck Donuts, one of the most beloved franchise brands in the world. Betsy takes us behind the scenes of scaling a family-owned business into an international franchise, navigating rapid growth, maintaining consistency, and leading through major organizat...

Welcome to Episode 1 of Leadership Backstage, a podcast dedicated to uncovering the REAL, unfiltered truth about leadership, growth, and the often-lonely journey behind the title. In this solo kickoff episode, host Claudia Williams shares her personal story, from growing up in a traditional Italian-American household to building a powerful career in law, consulting, and leadership development. Wit...

When I first met Nate Wakeford, I knew this conversation would be different. Nate built one of Australia’s leading specialty beverage companies, supplying thousands of cafes and even tech giants like Google and Twitter. By all accounts, he had “made it.” But what happens when success and comfort still leave you feeling empty? In this episode of Leadership Backstage, I go behind the curtain with Na...