Success Secrets and Stories

Send us Fan Mail Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. Stress has become our constant companion, but it doesn't have to control your life. Drawing from the respected research of the Mayo Clinic, John and Greg dive into evidence-based approaches to stress management that actually work. The body-mind connection is powerful, and physical activity stands as perhaps the most effective stress...

Send us Fan Mail What separates exceptional leaders from merely competent managers? The answer lies in how they approach the growth and development of those they lead.  Join John and Greg as they explore the heart of leadership's responsibility, to lend the helping hand to those on your team.  Servant leadership flips traditional leadership models on their head by focusing not on the leader&a...

Send us Fan Mail Disruption isn't coming—it's already here. As we navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of work in 2025, organizations face a critical crossroads that will determine their future success or failure. This eye-opening episode dives deep into eleven transformative trends reshaping how we work, hire, and grow businesses in the coming years. The skills mismatch crisis demand...

Send us Fan Mail Failure isn't just inevitable in leadership—it's essential. This eye-opening conversation tackles the myth that great leaders emerge fully formed, revealing instead how true leadership is forged through stumbles, self-reflection, and resilience. We dive deep into Shane Wentz's fascinating journey from Army sergeant to corporate transformation specialist, exploring h...

Send us Fan Mail Are you already a leader without realizing it? The journey toward leadership often begins long before you receive a formal title or position.  In this enlightening episode of Success Secrets and Stories, hosts John Wandolowski and Greg Powell unpack the subtle yet powerful indicators that suggest you're ready to step into a leadership role. Leadership isn't confined to m...

Send us Fan Mail Join John and Greg as they discuss what truly separates leadership from management? While these terms are often used interchangeably, understanding their fundamental differences could be the key to unlocking your career potential and organizational impact. Leadership expert Amy Hamilton defines a leader as "someone that inspires others to work together to achieve a shared goa...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast, join John and Greg as they interview, CEO Jamie Henry who won a 19th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Award, one of the most prestigious recognition programs for women business owners in the U.S. and globally! She never expected that purchasing her father's small janitorial business would lead to building Bee Line Support – now a powerhouse in medical-gr...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn't merely about a title or position – it's a deeply personal journey shaped by unique motivations and developed through structured experiences. When asked why they became leaders, most people reveal fascinating stories that blend practical considerations with deeper aspirations to create positive change. From our hosts' candid reflections, we discover...

Send us Fan Mail Difficult and toxic employees can devastate workplace morale, crush productivity, and drive your best talent out the door. Join John and Greg's  conversation as they explore the article: Dealing with Difficult Employees by Michelle McGovern, HR Morning, from March 2023, as she highlights the alarming reality that 70% of employees have quit jobs because of problematic colleagu...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to transformational leadership isn't having all the answers, but knowing how to ask the right questions? Join John and Greg as they discuss leadership insights with Patrick Farran, PhD and MBA.  Patrick reveals the secrets that many executives miss when stepping into new roles or leading significant change initiatives. Drawing from decades of experience as a c...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself stuck in a workplace that just doesn't fit? The secret might not be in avoiding what's wrong, but in actively seeking what's right. This transformative episode John Wandolowski, and Greg Powell shifts the conversation from identifying workplace red flags to recognizing the green ones—those positive indicators that signal a truly exceptional organ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, John and Greg talk about what separates good leaders from truly transformational ones? The answer lies not in strategy, but in emotional intelligence—the leadership superpower hiding in plain sight. The article by Stuart Andrews, executive coach and author of "The Leadership Shift," presents a compelling case that mirrors the teachings of Dr. Durst'...

Send us Fan Mail What makes a workplace culture truly effective? According to organizational change expert Laurie Clarke, it's found at the critical intersection of talent and design—where people and systems align to create meaningful impact. Join John and Greg as they interview Laurie on her insights of management as a consult for executive leaders.  Clarke brings powerful insights from her...

Send us Fan Mail Join our podcast with John and Greg as they interview Elisabeth Bachman.  Elizabeth Bachman is THE go-to person for advanced-level training in Speaking, Presentation Skills, Career Development, and Leadership . With a lifetime spent perfecting the art of presenting, she helps high-level clients get the promotion/job/recognition they deserve — within an organization and within an i...

Send us Fan Mail Forget every leadership trend you've heard about—2025 demands one skill above all others: Resilience . This captivating discussion between hosts John Wandolowski and Greg Powell delves deep into why resilience has become the cornerstone of effective leadership in today's volatile world. Drawing from Forbes Council member Gina Martin's powerful insights, we explore h...

Send us Fan Mail Words shape our workplace environments, influencing employee morale, productivity, and relationships in profound ways. Effective leaders understand that conscious communication fosters psychological safety and inclusivity, creating spaces where people can express themselves openly without fear of judgment. • Words can perpetuate stereotypes or build inclusive environments • Using...

Send us Fan Mail In this Success, Secrets, and Stories podcast, John and Greg are interviewing Ted Santos.  What if the key to transforming both your leadership and relationships lies in understanding conflict at its root? Ted Santos, founder and CEO of Turnaround Investment Partners and author of "Here's Why You Can't Find Love," reveals the staggering $300 billion cost of div...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership transforms lives through wellbeing—this powerful concept forms the backbone of our exploration into how great leaders create environments where people thrive professionally and personally.  When leaders prioritize employee wellbeing, the benefits ripple through organizations in measurable ways: higher engagement, increased creativity, improved productivity, and greater...

Send us Fan Mail When faced with mounting pressure to make quick decisions, how do you ensure your ethics don't get left behind? This fascinating deep dive explores the neuroscience behind decision-making speed and ethical choices, revealing why our brains tend toward self-interest when we're rushed. Drawing from the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership's research, we u...

Send us Fan Mail Can optimism truly be a leader's superpower in our unpredictable VUCA world? Join us for an insightful conversation with leadership coach Kelly Frazier Cox as we uncover how realistic optimism can transform challenges into opportunities. Drawing on our own stories and experiences, Greg Powell and I, John Wandolowski, explore the power of saying "yes" to possibilitie...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what truly defines responsible leadership and how it shapes our personal and professional lives? Join Greg Powell and me as we unravel the complexities of this essential quality, drawing inspiration from Dr. Michael Durst’s transformative teachings in "Being the Cause." By sharing stories from my journey—from the creation of my first book, "Bu...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of true leadership influence and discover how to lead with respect and collaboration at the forefront. Drawing inspiration from Dale Carnegie's classic principles alongside modern insights from the Center for Creative Leadership, we promise insights that will transform your approach to shaping opinions and behaviors within your organization. Join us as we u...

Send us Fan Mail Could shifting your focus from degrees to skills revolutionize your hiring process and boost your business's success? Join us for an eye-opening discussion with our HR expert, Greg, who unveils how modern hiring practices are evolving to meet industry demands. We promise you'll learn how to attract top talent by crafting clear job descriptions, minimizing biases through...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of effective leadership and transform your decision-making skills with insights from industry giants like Jeff Bezos and Mary Barra. This episode promises to equip you with the critical thinking tools vital for navigating complex business landscapes and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. We'll explore how leaders can evolve from rescuers...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to becoming a more effective leader by mastering emotional intelligence. Learn how to harness the power of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills to transform your leadership style. Discover how emotional intelligence can be just as crucial as technical knowledge for managers and leaders striving for success. We break down these...