The Path Less Traveled Podcast

How do you find the blind spots you can't see by yourself? In Session 2 of The Path Less Traveled Leadership Roundtable, Craig Heatherly sits down with Scott Clark - CEO, Tire Rack, Hayley Boling - CEO, Boling Vision Center, and Kory Lantz - Founder, Transformation Ministries for an honest, unscripted conversation about the blind spots nobody mentions — the feedback that dries up the higher you cl...

How do you lead through something nobody has a playbook for yet? In the Series II opener of The Path Less Traveled Leadership Roundtable, Craig Heatherly sits down with Kreg Gruber - CEO, Beacon Health System, Nate Staley - President, PolyJohn Enterprises, and Kelly Ball - CEO, Pathfinders Advertising for an honest, unscripted conversation about AI, change, and how to engage with it without overre...

What does it actually feel like to carry the weight of leadership? In the series finale of The Path Less Traveled Leadership Roundtable, Craig Heatherly sits down with Dr. Dee McDonald (President, Bethel University), Jeremy Lugbill (CEO, Career Academy Network), and Jon Morningstar (CEO, MapleTronics) for the most personal conversation of the series — failure, hard decisions, and the emotional wei...

How do you develop the next generation of talent on purpose — not just by accident? In Session 3 of The Path Less Traveled Leadership Roundtable, Craig Heatherly is joined by Jason Lippert (President & CEO, Lippert/LCI), Shaun Phy (President, C&S Machine), and Dr. Marco Clark (President, Holy Cross College) for a practical, honest conversation about identifying, developing, and acceleratin...

The hard conversation you keep putting off? It's costing you more than you think. In Session 2 of The Path Less Traveled Leadership Roundtable, Craig Heatherly is joined by Laurie Nafziger (President & CEO, Oaklawn), Todd Yeoman (President, American Technology Components), and Dr. Rebecca Stoltzfus (President, Goshen College) for an honest, unscripted conversation about navigating difficult co...

What separates good leaders from great ones? Discipline. The daily choices nobody sees. In Session 1 of The Path Less Traveled Leadership Roundtable Series, Craig Heatherly brings Craig Brummell (COO of ABRO Industries), Dustin Holland (President & CEO of Better World Books) and Steve Brenneman (Founder of ATC Trailers & Aluminum Insights) together for one unscripted conversation about the...

Ben Duke, President of Polaris Marine, leads a $1B division responsible for iconic brands like Bennington, Godfrey, and Hurricane ... operating at scale, under constant pressure. In this episode, Ben shares what it takes to lead through real disruption, from COVID demand shocks to supply‑chain volatility and market correction without breaking trust or losing strategic focus. He walks through how d...

Kelly Ball, CEO of Pathfinders Advertising, leads a 47-year-old agency built on one core idea: help companies tell their story in a way that connects. In this episode, Kelly shares lessons on stepping into the CEO role, aligning teams, and leading through rapid change—especially with the rise of AI. He breaks down why most companies get marketing wrong, how AI is reshaping workflows, and why the b...

Dustin Holland, President and CEO of Better World Books, leads one of the world’s largest online booksellers with a mission to keep books in circulation and out of landfills. What began as college book drives at University of Notre Dame has grown into a global operation processing hundreds of thousands of books each week and partnering with thousands of libraries around the world. In this episode,...

Kory Lantz, founder of Transformation Ministries, builds change slowly and intentionally. What began 17 years ago as a choice to live in a neighborhood and be present has grown into a nonprofit serving hundreds of South Bend kids and families. Kory's approach centers on depth over scale, offering education, mentoring, job training, spiritual guidance, and family support to children from infancy th...

Craig Brummell, COO of ABRO Industries, is stepping into leadership with a long-term mindset. Just weeks into the role, Craig reflects on joining a 75+ year, globally respected company headquartered in South Bend, operating in 150 countries with a small but mighty team. His focus isn’t fixing what’s broken. It’s strengthening alignment, supporting people, and helping shape the next 45 years of gen...

Gene Crusie, CEO of Surf Internet, measures success by impact, not just growth. From repairing printers in the 90s to leading a 400-person fiber company across the Midwest, Gene shares how faith, resilience, and a defining wrestling moment shaped his mindset: stop playing not to lose — start playing to win. In this episode, he reflects on bold pivots, investing in people, and the daily reminder he...

Todd Yeoman, CEO of American Technology Components, doesn’t talk about growth in terms of revenue first, he talks about people. Raised by educators and shaped by coaching, faith, and service, Todd shares how presence, humility, and intentional leadership have guided ATC’s evolution from its roots to a thriving, people-first organization. From designing a workplace that honors associates to leading...

Dave Rafinski, Principal at JPR, breaks down why sustainable growth comes from people, not titles or org charts. With over two decades at the firm, he shares how intentional hiring, ownership mentality, and trust-driven leadership helped scale JPR while staying rooted in culture and community. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating growth, generational change, and the challenge of bu...

Dave Lerman, Chairman of the Board of Lerman Enterprises, shares why great leadership isn’t about short-term wins or financial exits, but about stewardship, resilience, and building a business that can endure hard seasons. Drawing from decades in a multi-generation family enterprise, Dave reflects on the responsibility of preserving culture, investing in people, and making decisions with the long...

Charlton Keultjes, EOS Implementer and Executive Coach, shares why great leadership isn’t about complexity or control, but about clarity, relationships, and the discipline to do simple things consistently. Drawing from his experience as a CEO and coach, he explains how trust, honest conversations, and alignment at the leadership level create momentum across an organization and why many leaders sta...

Regina Emberton, CEO of Choice Light, shares how collaboration, not control has powered her leadership journey and helped shape Northern Indiana’s economic momentum. From building regional partnerships to leading critical digital infrastructure, Regina reveals why believing in people, investing in connectivity, and embracing continuous learning are essential for leaders navigating growth and compl...

Few leaders step into the CEO role with a clear roadmap. Amy Hill, CEO of the YWCA of North Central Indiana, shares how unexpected moments, hard decisions, and trusted mentors shaped her leadership journey. In this conversation, Amy breaks down why effective leaders don’t need all the answers just the discipline to listen, adapt, and ask for help. She reflects on leading through uncertainty, build...

Few leaders enter the presidency with the self-awareness and conviction of Dr. Dee McDonald. Just months into his role as President of Bethel University, he’s focused less on quick wins and more on building trust, shaping culture, and leading with authenticity. From athletics to executive leadership, Dr. Dee breaks down why people choose to be led, how authentic followership changes everything, an...

Few leaders are executing healthcare turnarounds with the clarity and discipline of Tim Travis. As President & CEO of South Bend Medical Foundation, he’s led a dramatic transformation by empowering people with real ownership, demanding accountability, and refusing to tolerate stagnation. From small-town beginnings to leading a complex, mission-critical organization, Tim shares how autonomy, tr...

Few leaders are reimagining college life like Dr. Rebecca Stoltzfus. At Goshen College, she’s cultivating an environment where students are known, encouraged, and challenged to grow in both intellect and character. Her approach to Gen Z is rooted in authenticity, well-being, and meaningful connection. She’s turning education into a place where purpose is discovered and lives are shaped. If you’re...

From mowing warehouse lawns to mastering a multigenerational beverage empire, Matt Nelson embodies the spirit of purposeful leadership. Thrust into United Beverage's legacy at 12, carrying kegs and stocking shelves, he's transforming a local distribution company into a dynamic, community-powered enterprise that's about far more than selling drinks. With the wisdom of generations flowing through hi...

This episode spotlights Rima Bahradine-Bell, a standout from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor and one of only five national finalists for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year, rising above 500,000+ students nationwide. A senior at Career Academy South Bend with a 4.42 GPA, Rima leads in robotics, volunteers across her community, and competes in varsity c...

From crutches in her dad's RV company at 14 to receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, Jenni Zachary's entrepreneurial journey defies expectations. Founding Transport US in the chaotic first month of 2020, she transformed a small RV transport business into a beacon of purpose-driven leadership. More than moving trailers, Jenni is revolutionizing transportation by championing opportunities for work...

Michael Behrens didn’t just inherit a family business, he reinvented it. At Complexus Medical, he transformed a small tool-and-die shop into a trusted manufacturer serving some of the most demanding orthopedic and spine companies in the country. In this episode, Michael shares candid lessons on leadership, independence, and building a culture that embraces innovation and accountability. If you’re...