The Savage Leader Podcast

In   this   episode, Darren Reinke chats with Claudia Castellanos, founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods. Claudia discusses how a decision to volunteer in Africa led her to find her life’s purpose, the importance of metrics and accountability for social impact businesses, how Black Mamba Food measures their impact, and how companies can expand their influence and make a difference. Black Mamba’s ra...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Ryan Mulvany, Founder and President of Quiverr. Ryan shares how he turned a side hustle into a scalable company that he eventually sold, the importance of trust in scaling critical business relationships, and how his willingness to lean into being different has helped him in both business and in life. Quiverr is a leader in full-service Amazon Marketplace...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Akshay Sateesh, president of Ziksana Consulting. Akshay discusses how going to school in Malaysia with kids from over 100 different countries equipped him with values of curiosity and adaptability, how improv inspired a career change, and the importance of bringing "play" into the workplace. Show Notes: Akshay’s unique multi-cultural background and...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with business author Mike Michalowitz. Mike discusses his entrepreneurial, how he went bankrupt after starting and selling multiple successful companies, how he found his calling of eradicating entrepreneurial poverty, and why psychological ownership is the key to getting the most out of your people. Mike is the author of seven business books published by Pengu...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Leigh Steinberg, a premiere sports agent, author, and philanthropist. Leigh discusses the skillsets learned from negotiating with Ronald Reagan, his journey to becoming a successful sports agents, the importance of strong values, and why you should go to a planetarium if you need perspective. During his 41-year career, Leigh Steinberg has represented over...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Aaron Fulkerson, a technology entrepreneur, founder of MindTouch, and a General Manager for ServiceNow. Aaron talks about his untraditional path into technology, why he thinks you should run a company like a sports team instead of a family, why generalists are less likely to be displaced by technology, and so much more!  Show Notes Aaron's untraditiona...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Brad Lee, former president and CEO of Breg. Brad discusses his interest in engineering from an early age, the “Aha” moment that led him on his journey to becoming a CEO, the most important lessons he learned from leaning into his fears, and so much more! Show Notes: How taking apart household appliances as a little kid led Brad to engineering [1:06] Why Br...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Casey Georgeson, Founder and CEO of Saint Jane. Casey discusses how a $10,000 loan during the Great Depression started her family’s legacy of entrepreneurship, the importance of work life balance as a founder and CEO, why she feels the most successful and powerful brands are emotional, and CBD’s array of health benefits. Saint Jane is a luxury CBD beauty c...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Chris Fisher, the Oklahoma Thunder’s play by play announcer. Chris discusses how his passion for sports started at an early age, why his first job taught him the importance of hard work and embracing the “grind”, why versatility is a critical component in achieving success, and so much more. Show Notes: How Chris got involved in sports [1:06] Chris’s early...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Sanjit Singh, a serial entrepreneur who has launched several tech start-ups and had two successful exits. Sanjit discusses the art of the pivot, why you should create playbooks for your organization, how your business can thrive by adopting a startup mindset, and so much more.   Show Notes: Why Sanjit jumped into entrepreneurship [1:10] Key lessons Sanjit...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Billy McKnight, head basketball coach at Prolific Prep. Billy shares his journey to becoming a professional coach, how he creates team chemistry with a team of uber achievers, the impact of NIL on athletic development, preparing high school kids for college and the NBA, and much more.  Prolific Prep is a prep basketball team based in Napa, CA that aims to...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with talent development expert Rae Tanner. Rae talks about psychological safety and the critical role it plays in driving employee engagement, how you can reshape your current corporate culture, tips companies can use to thrive in a work from home and hybrid work environment, the importance of authentically connecting with your employees, and so much more! Show...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Diana Shapiro, CEO of Dynam. AI. Dianna discusses her journey from selling gym memberships to selling on Wall Street to becoming a CEO. She covers why sales in the lifeblood of any company, what CEOs and Chief Revenue Officers can learn from each other, the power of artificial intelligence in today’s world, and why adopting AI can enhance your business. Dy...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the founder and CEO of VA Claims Insider. Brian talks about how going public with his PTSD led him to start his company, what brokenness is and how it can serve you, and the importance of community as a leader and its role in sustaining a movement. VA Claims Insider serves disabled military veterans by helping them get the VA disability benefits they deser...

In this episode, Darren Reinke Chats with Jamie MoCrazy, former professional skier and keynote speaker. Jamie discusses the traumatic ski accident that almost killed her, how she continually overcame daily challenges associated with her recovery, how she and her foundation are helping others uncover their alternative peak, and so much more.  Jamie MoCrazy is a keynote speaker and resilience advoca...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with author and speaker Warren Berger. Warren discusses the power of questioning, how curiosity and questioning are linked, why you and your leadership team need to slow your pace to ask more questions, and so much more. Warren is a speaker and author specializing in questioning, innovation, creativity, design, the media, advertising, and general business. Some...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Steve Bernstein, Chairman of the Board for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Steve discusses why you need to help yourself before you can help others, the huge prevalence of food insecurity across the country, and why you should get your kids involved in philanthropy at an early age. The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is San Diego Cou...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Jenny Ming, Iconic Brand Builder, Experienced Board of Director and CEO. Jenny discusses how she developed her authentic leadership style, why she never viewed joining Old Navy as a risk, why an organization’s people are their most important asset, and so much more! Jenny Ming is a retail fashion industry executive who served as the president and chief exe...

In this episode, Darren Reinke Chats with Ty Smith, Founder and CEO of CommSafe AI. Ty discusses the significant impact bullying had on his childhood, how the Navy SEAL teams gave him the skillsets needed to thrive as a tech entrepreneur, and why toxic communication is costing companies money and what leaders can do to stop it. CommSafe AI is a technology company that helps companies keep communic...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Ryan Beck, Chief Technology Officer at Pray. Com. Ryan discusses what it was like growing up with a single mom, how he got involved in drugs and gangs, how his time in jail guided him toward his faith, why you need to prioritize purpose within your organization, and so much more! Pray.com is a social impact company driven by a mission to grow faith and cul...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Bob Rief, Executive Director, San Diego Sport Innovators. Bob discusses his nonlinear career journey from ski rep to running companies such as Nike Golf, Reef Sandals, and Sanuk Footwear as well as how he helps small companies succeed and why the most important attribute of any company is authenticity.  San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI) is a non-profit foc...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Larry Levine, Author of Selling from the Heart. Larry discusses what it means to sell from the heart, the importance of authenticity and substance in sales, what "heartset" is and how to develop it, and more. Selling from the Heart’s mission is to bring authenticity and substance to the sales profession. Selling from the Heart brings a fresh way to...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Chase Kim, a Hollywood actor who has starred in shows Magnum P.I., Bosch, and Silicon Valley. Chase discusses leaving the corporate world for a career in Hollywood, gaining support from those who originally doubted him, maintaining his calm when it matters most, and staying relevant over a 16 year acting career. Show Notes: Why Chase Left His Corporate Job...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Steve Gatena, CEO of Pray.com. Steve shares the biggest lessons he learned while playing college football under Pete Carroll, how the loss of his business partner led to the creation of Pray.com, how Pray.com fulfills its purpose of creating a world where everyone leaves a legacy of helping others, and so much more! Pray.com is a social impact company driv...

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Phil Dana, Head of Human Resources at Dendreon. Phil shares how the lessons he learned in the military and in construction have benefited him in his HR career, the importance of cultivating purpose within your team and organization, and why he intentionally surrounds himself with those smarter than him.  Dendreon is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical com...