The Next Level Leader

Jon Harris | Apex Performance
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The Next Level Leader is the podcast for leaders who refuse to stay where they are. Hosted by leadership and performance coach Jon Harris, each episode brings honest conversations, proven frameworks, and the mindset shifts that actually change how you lead. From real-world stories to practical tools you can apply right away, this show delivers what you need to lead with vision, execute with confidence, and adapt when it matters most. Whatever level you lead at, this show meets you where you are - and pushes you to what's next.

  1. 3d ago

    Next Level Leader w/ Julien Godbarge

    Julien Godbarge spent 15 years rising through a private equity-backed company before becoming CEO of a Dubai-based platform company. The first four years were a textbook private equity success story: process improvements, rebranding, tech upgrades, and an industry roll-up that made money and felt exhilarating. Then it unraveled. A flawed ERP dashboard inflated his EBITDA projections, post-pandemic supply chain issues forced him to buy equipment he'd planned to rent, debt covenants tightened, competitors turned hostile, and a new product launch dragged on. Within six months, he went from "top of the world" to breaking down in tears at an airport, unable to think clearly. Julien and Jon unpack the blind spots that turned a run of external pressure into a full collapse: the "Atlas Syndrome" of believing you alone have to carry every burden, tying self-worth to performance and outcomes rather than process, and the danger of building an entire identity around a job or title. They also cover the "denial tax" - the cost of not processing hard things as they happen - and why resilience, not just raw talent or work ethic, is the trait that actually protects high performers. Julien now writes and coaches on this through his book, Crash and Learn, and his 10 Blind Spots assessment. About Julien Godbarge: Former CEO of a private equity-backed platform company, author of Crash and Learn, and executive coach. After his own burnout and recovery, he built a framework around 10 leadership blind spots to help executives spot and avoid the same collapse. Get in touch with Julien Julien's Website - The 10 Blindspots Connect on LinkedIn Key Topics & Timestamps 00:02 — Julien's background: 15 years in a lower-middle-market PE-backed company, then CEO of a Dubai platform company 06:00 — The first four "great" years: process improvement, rebranding, tech stack overhaul, industry roll-up 07:38 — The first crack: a flawed ERP dashboard inflates EBITDA projections 09:00 — Compounding crises: supply chain shortages, forced equipment purchases, tightening debt covenants 10:10 — Fallout from the roll-up: competitors turn adversarial, one poaches half his sales team 11:32 — The six-month slide: stress → sleep loss → anxiety → depression → breakdown at the airport 16:16 — Why it's "lonely at the top" — isolation as both circumstance and self-imposed habit 18:08 — The "Atlas Syndrome": believing you alone must carry every burden 19:01 — Identity fused with job title/performance, and why that's fragile 22:19 — Performance-based self-worth, and how it starts in childhood (grades, rewards) 23:52 — Julien's bonus-negotiation story: linking family provision and self-worth to hitting an EBITDA number 26:14 — Why resilience — not just talent — is what coaches and scouts actually look for 32:20 — McKinsey's shift toward recruiting for resilience, not just pedigree 33:35 — Psychological safety as a prerequisite for talking about resilience without it turning into "participation trophy" mockery 41:04 — Reframing work-life balance as harmony measured over months/quarters, not days 41:38 — The "denial tax": the compounding cost of not processing setbacks in real time 42:52 — Process over outcome — judging effort and fulfillment, not just results 46:22 — Where to find help: 10blindspots.com and the 10 Blind Spots assessment

  2. May 15

    Next Level w/ Pete Sacco

    NEXT LEVEL WITH PETE SACCO In this wide-ranging conversation, Jon and Pete cover everything from the impact of AI on the workforce to optimizing human performance and the intersection of those two topics. Pete has a fascinating background with a wide-ranging experience - from technologist and tech founder to data-center consultant, author, and speaker - Pete covers a lot of ground. Find out more about Pete: https://www.petesacco.com/ Let's Go Do Great Things! www.apexperformance.one

  3. Mar 23

    Next Level w/ Tristin Vaccaro (pt. 2)

    Ahead of ISC West, I have a follow-up conversation with Tristin regarding all things Marketing and Branding. As always, Tristin delivers a wealth of knowledge and actionable recommendations to take your Marketing game to the Next Level. Connect with Tristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristinvaccaro/ Let's Go Do Great Things!

  4. 2025-12-30

    Next Level w/ William C. Davis

    Next Level w/ William C. Davis In this episode, Jon sits down with leadership expert and author William C. Davis to unpack what’s broken in modern leadership—and how to fix it. With nearly 40 years of experience and a 90%+ retention track record, William shares why leadership must return to its core: people, trust, and connection. This conversation explores the difference between managing and leading, the cost of poor leadership, and why humility, empathy, and self-awareness are essential for building high-performing teams. A powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about enabling others to succeed. How to connect with William https://www.williamcdavis.net/

  5. 2025-10-31

    Next Level w/ Jenny Casson

    In this episode of The Next Level Podcast, Jon Harris sits down with Jenny Casson — Olympian rower, entrepreneur, and performance coach — for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of purpose beyond competition. Jenny shares her journey from national team rower to co-founder of Daylilie Bras, revealing how setbacks, injuries, and transition moments can fuel growth. They dive deep into the mindsets that drive sustained excellence — focusing on controllables, finding gratitude in hardship, and redefining success through curiosity and daily consistency. This is a masterclass in turning adversity into advantage and learning to belong in every room you walk into. Key Takeaways Process over outcome: True fulfillment comes from the daily pursuit, not the single result. Resilience through reflection: “Be okay with not being okay” — your self-talk shapes your comeback. Performance framework: Be the best. If not, be your best. If not, just do your best — and give 100 % of what you have that day. Entrepreneurial purpose: Channel competitive drive into impact — build products and environments that make others feel seen. Belonging and leadership: Show up with intention, know your worth, and lead yourself before leading others. Get connected with Jenny and Daylilie: https://www.daylilie.com/ https://www.instagram.com/daylilie_bras/ https://www.instagram.com/jenny_joan_casson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercassonoly/

  6. 2025-09-26

    Next Level w/ Rowan Stone

    In this episode of the Next Level Podcast, I sit down with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, to explore the future of AI, data, and human knowledge. Rowan shares his personal journey from heavy engineering in Scotland to diving headfirst into crypto and Web3 — and how those risks led him to pioneer a decentralized data foundry that empowers people across 100+ countries to monetize their expertise. We talk about what it really means to hit reset on your career, the tension between risk and responsibility, and the courage it takes to leave comfort behind in pursuit of passion. Rowan opens up about the lessons he’s learned building startups, the challenges of earning trust in a crowded AI landscape, and why the quality of data — not just algorithms or compute — is the key to safe, useful, and impactful AI. This conversation moves beyond the tech, touching on education, the creator economy, and what it means to shape a future where people aren’t left behind but are empowered to participate. If you’re curious about the intersection of leadership, innovation, and humanity’s role in AI, this episode will leave you inspired to take your next leap. Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome back to the Next Level Podcast and intro to Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien.05:30 – Rowan’s journey from heavy engineering in Scotland to diving headfirst into crypto and building in Web3.12:40 – Taking the leap: leaving comfort behind to pursue passion, risk vs. responsibility, and what drives career pivots.20:15 – Building Sapien: why data quality is the missing piece in AI and how their decentralized data foundry empowers people worldwide.32:00 – Leadership lessons from scaling startups, cold start challenges, and keeping teams aligned in a fast-moving space.41:50 – Beyond the tech: how Sapien’s model could transform education, the creator economy, and global participation in AI.55:10 – Advice for the next generation of leaders, and Rowan’s personal “Next Level.”1:01:30 – Where to learn more about Sapien and how to get involved. If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to like the episode, subscribe to the Next Level Podcast, and follow along on social so you never miss future insights from leaders pushing the boundaries of technology and performance.

  7. 2025-05-09

    Next Level w/ Kyle Walsh

    The Next Level Podcast is POWERED by 1st Phorm Do you want to reach your NEXT LEVEL? I want to work with YOU! 1:1 Coaching.  Team coaching.  Training workshops. (Virtual or in-person) Speaking.  Join the NEXT LEVEL COMMUNITY My name is Jon. I am a Leadership and Performance Development Coach. My mission is to help 10,000 security professionals take their skills to the next level.  I am a husband, a father, a coach, and a life-long learner. +++ 🎙️ Next Level Podcast w/ Kyle Walsh In this powerhouse episode of The Next Level Podcast, Jon Harris sits down with Kyle Walsh, a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and seasoned leader with nearly 15 years of experience building and leading GSOC programs at top-tier organizations like Google, Meta, Bird, Cruise, Stripe, and Netflix. Kyle shares a refreshingly honest and strategic look at career development, business enablement, and modern security leadership. 🔍 From Craigslist to Crisis Management Kyle’s unexpected entry into the industry began with a Craigslist job post, leading to key security roles at some of the world’s most innovative companies. From OSINT analyst to leading crisis response programs, he unpacks how curiosity, grit, and a willingness to learn fueled his rise. 🏗️ Building GSOCs with Business Impact Kyle discusses building global security operations centers from the ground up, and how security can—and must—shift from being a cost center to a business enabler. At Cruise and Netflix, he drove strategic value by integrating risk intelligence into business operations and using security to increase operational efficiency. 🚀 Intentional Growth and Career Pivots Rather than chase titles, Kyle has built his career through calculated risk, joining startups and new industries to expand his skills and leadership capabilities. He and Jon dig into the idea of “failing by design,” embracing discomfort to grow, and seeking out roles that stretch your potential. 💼 Security as a Cross-Functional Partner Kyle emphasizes that great security leaders speak the language of the business and build strong internal networks. Whether working with tech teams or operations, he shares how understanding the mission, building trust, and demonstrating ROI are key to elevating security’s role in the enterprise. 🧠 Advice for Aspiring Leaders Kyle offers practical advice: stay curious, invest in networking, prioritize your well-being, and work for leaders or missions you believe in. He encourages security professionals to stay informed, take smart risks, and challenge outdated thinking with fresh, strategic approaches. 🎧 This episode is a must-listen for any security professional looking to build a meaningful, business-aligned career or for those ready to take the leap to the Next Level.

  8. 2025-04-18

    The Q2 Reset: 4 Questions to Refocus and Elevate Your Performance

    The Next Level Podcast is POWERED by 1st Phorm Do you want to reach your NEXT LEVEL? I want to work with YOU! 1:1 Coaching.  Team coaching.  Training workshops. (Virtual or in-person) Speaking.  Join the NEXT LEVEL COMMUNITY My name is Jon. I am a Leadership and Performance Development Coach. My mission is to help 10,000 security professionals take their skills to the next level.  I am a husband, a father, a coach, and a life-long learner.  ********* In this solo episode of the Next Level Podcast, host Jon Harris shares a personal and powerful message about hitting the reset button in Q2. Drawing from his coaching playbook and personal journey, Jon introduces a transformative but straightforward weekly practice: asking four core questions that drive clarity, growth, and consistency. Whether you're a security leader, operator, athlete, or high achiever in any field, this episode is your mid-year wake-up call. If you’re ahead of your goals, double down. If you’ve fallen behind, it’s not too late. Q2 is your opportunity to correct the course and build unstoppable momentum. Key Topics Covered: The importance of Q2 — and why it's often overlooked Four weekly reflection questions to keep you on trackThe Power–Purpose–Passion–Production FrameworkReal-life examples from coaching athletes and executivesHow Jon applies these strategies in his own lifeA challenge to take one action per week through June Reflection Questions - Use Each Week: 1. What am I doing well? 2. What am I not doing well? 3. What am I not doing that, if I started, would it help me improve? 4. What did I learn this week? 🎯 Challenge for Listeners: For the next 10 weeks, set aside 15 minutes every week to reflect. Choose one action. Apply it. Small wins build big momentum.

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About

The Next Level Leader is the podcast for leaders who refuse to stay where they are. Hosted by leadership and performance coach Jon Harris, each episode brings honest conversations, proven frameworks, and the mindset shifts that actually change how you lead. From real-world stories to practical tools you can apply right away, this show delivers what you need to lead with vision, execute with confidence, and adapt when it matters most. Whatever level you lead at, this show meets you where you are - and pushes you to what's next.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Harris | Apex Performance
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jon Harris | Apex Performance
  • Show Website
    The Next Level Leader