The Inspired Stories Podcast

🎙️ From London School of Economics to Inclusive Leadership: David Dubinsky's Mission to Transform Lives at Pomeroy Center In this inspiring episode, David Dubinsky, CEO of Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco, shares his remarkable journey from studying collaborative leadership under the head of London School of Economics to transforming a struggling nonprofit into a t...

🎙️ From Secrets to Authentic Leadership: Tim Perdion's Journey of Self-Discovery and Professional Growth In this deeply moving episode, Tim Perdion, Director of Practice Management and Service Delivery Technology at Ascend Partner Services, shares his courageous journey from living behind masks to embracing authentic leadership. Through candid discussions about adoption, family secrets, personal t...

🎙️ From Corporate Marketing to Pizza Empire: Eric Soller's Old Scratch Pizza Journey In this inspiring episode, Eric Soller, founder of Old Scratch Pizza, shares his transformation from ITW corporate marketing director to successful restaurateur building a multi-location pizza empire in Ohio. After spending over a decade in food service equipment marketing, Eric took the entrepreneurial leap at ag...

🎙️ Scaling Innovation: George Schultz's Journey from FedEx Janitor to COO of Fetch Package In this dynamic episode, George Schultz, COO of Fetch Package Inc., shares his remarkable journey from cleaning toilets as a FedEx hourly employee to leading operations at one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in America. Through candid discussions about imposter syndrome, career pivots, and bre...

🎙️ From Pakistan to AI Pioneer: Syed Alam's Journey of Innovation and Resilience Through Crisis In this inspiring episode, Syed Alam, founder and CEO of AccentEdge, shares his remarkable journey from arriving alone in Milwaukee in 1984 to building a cutting-edge technology company that pivoted through the COVID-19 pandemic to emerge stronger than ever. With over 30 years of experience in techn...

🎙️ From Healthcare Tech to Mediterranean Innovation: Dan Simpson's Journey Building Taziki's Culture In this inspiring episode, Dan Simpson, CEO of Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe, shares his unconventional path from healthcare technology to leading a 109-location restaurant chain dedicated to authentic Mediterranean cuisine and elevated hospitality. After successfully scaling healthcare c...

🎙️ From Plants to People: Bob Grover’s Landscape Leadership Journey In this episode of Inspired Stories, Bob Grover, President of Pacific Landscape Management and co-founder of Osprey Landscape Group, shares how a teenage nursery job blossomed into a 50-year career in the green industry. Bob walks us through his journey from horticulture student to running one of the top 20 landscape firms in the...

🎙️ From Italian Beach Club to Dallas Restaurant Empire: Danilo Di Nardo's Journey of Resilience In this inspiring episode, Danilo Di Nardo, Vice President of Operations at Lombardi Family Concepts, shares his remarkable transformation from a 13-year-old runaway barista in Italy to leading a 49-year-old family restaurant empire in Texas. Starting with stealing money to chase his first job and b...

🎙️ From Navy Service to Healthcare Leadership: Cheryl Lynn Lovell's Journey Through Crisis and Innovation In this inspiring episode, Cheryl Lynn Lovell, COO of Constellation Health Services and CEO of CLC Group, shares her transformation from Gulf War Navy veteran to healthcare executive leading operations across multiple states. After being steered away from nursing school due to industry mis...

🎙️ From Wall Street to Brick Manufacturing: Brad Belden's Leadership Journey at America's Largest Family-Owned Brick Company In this inspiring episode, Brad Belden, President and COO of Belden Brick Company, shares his remarkable journey from Chicago options trading and New York banking to leading America's largest family-owned brick manufacturer. Through authentic storytelling, Brad r...

🎙️ How Michael Dominguez Built ALHI Into the Premier Luxury Hotel Sales Network Through Leadership and Connection In this inspiring episode, Michael Dominguez, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), shares his remarkable 30-year journey from busing tables at Hyatt San Antonio to leading a global sales organization representing over 250 prestigious independent hotels. T...

🎙️ From Surf Shack Dreams to Global Flavors: Wing Lam’s Wahoo’s Fish Taco Story In this episode of Inspired Stories, Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco , shares how a surf-inspired idea turned into an iconic California restaurant brand with 40+ locations. From his Brazilian-Chinese upbringing to infusing teriyaki, black beans, and global flavors into the SoCal surf scene, Wing built more th...

🎙️ From McDonald's Crew Leader to Restaurant Executive: Amy Hom's Journey Building Party Culture at Barcelona Wine Bar In this inspiring episode, Amy Hom, Chief Operating Officer at Barcelona Wine Bar, shares her remarkable 30-year journey from working double shifts at McDonald's and Burger King to leading one of America's most beloved tapas restaurant groups. Through candid storie...

🎙️ From Peru to Private Club Excellence: Alfredo Hildebrandt's Transformation Journey at Lakewood Country Club In this inspiring episode, Alfredo Hildebrandt, General Manager and COO of Lakewood Country Club, shares his remarkable journey from losing his mother at age 12 in Peru to becoming a transformational leader in Ohio's premier private club scene. Through candid stories of overcoming...

🎙️ From Paper Boy to Franchise CEO: Paul Dorsey's Mission-Driven Journey in Commercial Cleaning In this inspiring episode, Paul Dorsey, CEO of Jantize America, shares his remarkable transformation from paper boy entrepreneur to franchise industry leader. Through authentic storytelling, Paul reveals how early entrepreneurial experiences delivering newspapers and selling fireballs shaped his und...

🎙️ From Pharmaceutical Sales to Healthcare Leadership: Tanika Williams' Journey in Strategic Medical Staffing In this inspiring episode, Tanika Williams, Head of Industry Relations at Jackson Coker, shares her remarkable transition from 95% travel pharmaceutical sales to becoming a strategic leader in healthcare staffing. Through authentic storytelling, Tanika reveals how becoming a single mot...

🎙️ How Maley Hunt Revolutionized Dementia Care Through Human-Centered Leadership In this inspiring episode, Maley Hunt, Chief Operating Officer and Residential Services Administrator at LiveWell, shares her remarkable journey from reluctant college intern to transformational leader in dementia care. Starting with a chance conversation in a grocery store, Maley discovered her calling in senior care...

🎙️ From Corporate Executive to Supply Chain Problem Solver: Michael Ryan's Journey Building Cash Machines In this inspiring episode, Michael Ryan, Managing Partner of the M. Ryan Group, shares his transformation from corporate executive at GE and Goodyear to becoming a supply chain consultant who helps manufacturers unlock millions in working capital. With 25 years of experience and a Six Sigm...

🎙️ How Amy Walker Built The Exit School to Make Million-Dollar Business Ownership Accessible Through Strategic Acquisitions In this inspiring episode, Amy Walker, CEO and founder of The Exit School, shares her remarkable journey from business value growth consultant to revolutionary business acquisition pioneer. Through powerful stories of clients like a stay-at-home mom who transformed four Crumb...

🎙️ From Underachiever to Industry Leader: Susan Levine's Journey Building Career Group Companies In this inspiring episode, Susan Levine, Founder and CEO of Career Group Companies, shares her remarkable transformation from college dropout to building one of America's most recognized recruiting firms. With nearly 44 years in the industry and 225+ employees across multiple offices nationwide...

🎙️ How Monte Silva Revolutionized Restaurant Management Through 10 Tables Hospitality and People-First Leadership In this inspiring episode, Monte Silva, CEO of 10 Tables Hospitality and Monte Silva Coaching, shares his remarkable journey from dishwasher to Wolfgang Puck protégé to restaurant industry innovator. Through powerful stories of career burnout and recovery, celebrity dining experiences,...

🎙️ How Mike Garrett Transformed Manufacturing Leadership Into Senior Care Innovation Through Crisis Management and AI Integration In this inspiring episode, Mike Garrett, Vice President of Human Resources at American Healthcare, shares his remarkable journey from factory floor cushion stuffer to rock band performer to senior care executive leading 2,000+ employees across 16 Virginia facilities. Th...

🎙️ From Wall Street Layoffs to Hospitality Success: David Grossman's Journey with Renue Systems In this inspiring episode, David Grossman, CEO of Renue Systems, shares his transformation from Wall Street finance executive to franchise business owner after being laid off three times. With a PhD and MA from Harvard and extensive private equity experience, David purchased Renue Systems in 2010 an...

🎙️ How Lori Franzo Built a Dementia-Wise Home Care Network Through Compassionate Training and Crisis Leadership In this inspiring episode, Lori Franzo, owner and founder of ComForcare Home Care Senior Services in, Louisiana, shares her remarkable 23-year journey from working at the Council on Aging to building a premier home care franchise specializing in dementia care. Through personal stories of...

🎙️ How Mitch Waks Built a 39-Year Healthcare Empire Through Chaos-Driven Growth In this inspiring episode, Mitch Waks, CEO and Founder of Cooperative Home Care, shares his remarkable journey from childhood entrepreneur to healthcare industry pioneer. Starting with candy sales in elementary school and high school keg parties featuring brilliant marketing strategies (including calling police on hims...