Advertise on podcast: Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Kate Turchin, Founder of Wedge Labs and a cybersecurity marketing leader known for helping startups build messaging that actually drives growth. Kate shares why the best product doesn't always win, why clear positioning is the foundation of every successful go-to-market strategy, and how founders can avoid wasting time and money by nailing their narrative before scaling. She also discusses how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, the importance of earning trust in an increasingly digital world, and the lessons she's learned balancing leadership, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. Whether you're building a startup, leading a marketing team, or refining your company's messaging, this conversation is packed with practical insights on standing out in crowded markets and creating sustainable growth.

What separates the companies that will thrive in the age of AI from the ones that will fall behind? In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with Jon Cheney, CEO and Chief AI Officer of the General Artificial Intelligence Proficiency Institute (GenAIPI), to discuss what it really means to become an AI-first organization. Jon explains why AI should make people more human, not less, and why most businesses are still barely scratching the surface of what's possible. From AI agents that actively work alongside employees to building custom software in minutes instead of months, he shares practical strategies leaders can implement today to dramatically increase productivity while strengthening creativity, relationships, and human connection. They also explore why leadership, not technology, is the biggest driver of successful AI adoption, the mindset required to think "AI first," and why the organizations willing to experiment, push boundaries, and embrace continuous learning will define the future of business. Whether you're an executive, entrepreneur, or business leader trying to navigate the rapid evolution of AI, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for staying ahead.

What separates great leaders from the rest? According to Ivan Isreal, it starts with seeing potential where others only see experience. In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with Ivan Isreal, Managing Director at Corporate Elevator, to explore what it takes to build high-performing teams in today's evolving workplace. Drawing from his background in mechanical engineering, recruiting, and business leadership, Ivan shares why great talent is developed—not discovered—and why the best hires don't always have the perfect résumé. They also discuss the differences between government and private enterprise, how organizations can improve employee retention, why leaders should reward problem solvers, and how creating a culture where people feel safe speaking up can drive innovation and long-term success. Whether you're a business owner, hiring manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers practical insights into building stronger teams and unlocking people's potential.

What separates successful fund managers from those who never get off the ground? In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with Bridger Pennington, Co-Founder of Fund Launch, Fund Launch Partners, and Ugly Unicorn, to discuss what it really takes to raise capital, build investment funds, and create long-term wealth. Bridger shares lessons from helping launch nearly 400 investment funds and explains why conviction, differentiation, and execution matter more than great ideas alone. He also discusses the rise of AI-first businesses, how Fund Launch is using artificial intelligence to reduce fund launch timelines from months to days, and why entrepreneurs should be positioning themselves to ride the next wave of technological change. The conversation explores: • What separates successful fund managers from everyone else • Why execution beats ideas every time • The difference between entrepreneurs and "wantrepreneurs" • How AI is reshaping entrepreneurship and wealth creation • Why emerging technologies represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity • Practical advice for building long-term financial freedom Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, business leader, or simply curious about where AI and capital markets are headed, this episode offers practical insights on building in the middle of one of the biggest innovation cycles in history.

What does it take to build companies in industries most people don't fully understand? In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with Justin Kahn, entrepreneur, investor, and Chief of Staff at Precision Medicine. Justin shares lessons from building and scaling TruClinic, navigating multiple acquisitions that ultimately led to Teladoc, and why timing can be just as important as strategy. The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, including failed ventures, market validation, healthcare innovation, and the importance of creating businesses that generate both social impact and financial success. Justin also shares how personal experiences inspired his work in telemedicine, why great entrepreneurs challenge conventional thinking, and the mindset that has helped him continue reinventing himself throughout his career. If you're a founder, leader, or entrepreneur looking to build meaningful businesses while staying adaptable in rapidly changing markets, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons.

In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with Earl Foote, CEO and Founder of Nexus IT Consultants, to discuss what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Drawing from nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience, Earl shares the hard lessons learned through fraud, acquisitions, rapid growth, and market disruption. He explains why sustainable growth is built on durability, not speed, how culture can either accelerate or destroy momentum, and why cybersecurity has become a leadership issue rather than just a technology issue. The conversation explores leadership, accountability, trust, empathy, enterprise value, and what founders should be doing today if they want to build a company that is ready to scale, attract top talent, and eventually command a premium valuation. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or business leader, this episode offers practical insights on building a high-performance organization without losing the human element that drives long-term success.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Dave Hansen, CEO of ClientTether, to talk about what really drives growth in franchise systems. Dave shares why most sales problems are not lead quality problems, but system, process, and follow-up problems. He breaks down how automation can help brands respond faster, why technology should support relationships instead of replacing them, and what founders often learn too late about scaling a business. The conversation also covers leadership, burnout, building sustainable systems, protecting your reputation, and why strong relationships with clients, partners, and employees are critical to long-term growth.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Tevia Arnold, Founder & CEO of Growth Minds Marketing, to talk about what really drives growth in today’s B2B landscape. Tevia shares what separates companies that accelerate from those that stay stuck, why speed and decision-making matter, and how leaders can build stronger marketing strategies during moments of change. She also breaks down the importance of relationship-driven marketing, brand equity, customer advocacy, and staying visible even when budgets get tight. This conversation is a practical look at how companies can use marketing as a true growth engine instead of just another cost center.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Kevin Maude to talk about leadership, trust, storytelling, and what it really takes to build meaningful business growth in a noisy digital world. Kevin shares how dyslexia shaped the way he solves problems, leads teams, and approaches communication differently than most leaders. The conversation dives into why brands are shifting away from polished, long-form content toward faster, more human connection — and why trust matters far more than attention. They also explore the difference between surface-level networking and relationships that actually create opportunities, revenue, and long-term growth. From emotional storytelling to authentic leadership, Kevin breaks down the strategies businesses need to stay relevant in today’s social-first landscape. If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, marketer, or someone focused on building stronger connections in business, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective.

What actually separates a top sales rep from a great sales leader? In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Lauren Bailey, a sales leader, trainer, and founder who has helped hundreds of organizations transform how their teams sell, coach, and grow. Lauren breaks down why the jump from rep to manager is one of the hardest transitions in business, and why most leaders struggle to make it successfully. She shares how top performers often fail as managers, what companies get wrong about sales training, and why most training never actually sticks. The conversation goes deeper into what real behavior change looks like, how to build coaching cultures that last, and what relationship-driven selling actually means when targets are high and pressure is real. You’ll also hear powerful insights on leadership development, the hidden barriers holding high-performing women back from leadership roles, and how authenticity and community play a critical role in long-term success. If you lead a team, build revenue organizations, or want to grow into leadership, this episode is packed with practical, real-world insight you can apply immediately.

In this episode of Summit Group Solutions's Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Gerry Miller, a serial entrepreneur who has reinvented himself across industries from music and Wall Street tech to Microsoft leadership and healthcare innovation. Gerry shares lessons on knowing when to pivot, leading high-performing teams, embracing failure while scaling, and building a culture driven by curiosity and purpose. He also unpacks the remarkable story of delivering New York State’s COVID data lake in just six days during the height of the pandemic. This conversation is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, relationships, and what it takes to solve hard problems that truly matter.

Most companies treat safety and performance like a tradeoff. They’re not. In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with Dr. Kevin Rindal, CEO and Co-Founder of Vimocity, to break down why the highest-performing organizations don’t separate safety from productivity - they build both through workforce readiness. Drawing from his background in sports medicine and experience working with elite athletes, Kevin shares how the same principles that drive Olympic performance can transform frontline teams in construction, utilities, and energy. They dive into:  Why safety programs fail when they ignore human performance  The biggest mistake leaders make when trying to “improve safety”  How short-form, in-the-flow learning drives real behavior change  The true ROI of workforce readiness beyond just fewer injuries  How to create buy-in from teams instead of checkbox compliance  Why recovery, not just effort, is the key to long-term performance This conversation reframes safety entirely - from a compliance function to a competitive advantage. If you lead teams, manage operations, or care about performance at scale, this episode will change how you think about your people.

What does it take to lead not just a business, but an entire city? In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Ron Price, President & CEO of Visit Phoenix, to unpack what it really means to lead at scale in destination marketing. Ron shares the shift from controlling outcomes in a hotel environment to influencing an entire ecosystem of stakeholders including hotels, airlines, government, and global partners. The conversation dives into how great leaders align competing incentives, navigate uncertainty during major disruptions like COVID, and make long-term decisions that shape the future of a region. They also explore the hidden impact of major events like the Super Bowl, how global connectivity drives economic growth, and why trust is ultimately the most important currency in leadership. If you're building, leading, or trying to operate at a higher level, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective.

What if you could simulate the future before making your biggest decisions? In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with John Cordier, CEO of Epistemix, to explore how digital twins and agent-based modeling are transforming the way leaders make decisions across public health, economics, and business. John shares how simulation has evolved from an academic exercise into a powerful leadership advantage, why clarity is the most underrated competitive edge, and how organizations can balance intuition with data in moments of uncertainty. From pandemic forecasting to empowering everyday decision-makers with advanced modeling tools, this conversation dives into what it really takes to lead with conviction in a complex world. If you're a leader navigating uncertainty, this episode will challenge how you think about data, strategy, and decision-making.

What does it really take to leave a stable career and become a successful business owner? In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Jeremy Ames, Co-Founder and CEO of Guidant Financial, to unpack what separates aspiring entrepreneurs from those who actually make the leap and thrive. Jeremy shares lessons from helping more than 30,000 people transition into business ownership, along with hard-won insights from his own experience as a 5-time founder, business acquirer, and franchise owner. The conversation explores risk, conviction, leadership, scaling, and why skepticism can actually be a strength for entrepreneurs. They also dive into what success means later in your career, and why creating more owners in today’s economy matters more than ever. In this episode, you’ll hear: What separates dreamers from successful business ownersThe biggest leadership lesson Jeremy learned the hard wayHow risk changes in midlife when family and finances are on the lineWhat founders often underestimate when trying to scaleWhy skepticism can be a strategic advantageHow Jeremy now defines reaching the summit of his careerA thoughtful conversation for anyone considering entrepreneurship, leadership, or ownership as the next chapter.