Tracks To Success

Kraig Kann
  • 5.0 (25)
  • Careers
  • Weekly

Kraig Kann, a veteran golf broadcaster and former C-Suite sports executive turned business entrepreneur, hosts the top podcast that brings you inspiring people and their inspiring success stories. How did they find their way to the top? How can their path help you do the same? As a speaker, consultant, author and leadership workshop facilitator himself, Kraig has a high energy fun chat with other top leaders and top personalities from all walks and all professions and gives his guests the platform to share untold stories about their rise up the ranks. On "Tracks to Success" you'll hear from big time names and names ready to hit the big time in a 5-star podcast you don't want to miss. 

  1. 6d ago

    Beth Gast

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Beth Gast: Building Brands, Protecting Reputations & Betting on Yourself What can we learn about building our own professional brand from someone who spent decades helping major companies, athletes and executives build theirs? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Beth Gast, founder of BG Public Relations, for a conversation about reputation, visibility, career growth and what it takes to stand out for the right reasons. Beth built an impressive career in public relations and brand communications, with leadership roles connected to major organizations including the LPGA, Nike and adidas. Along the way, she helped shape stories, promote brands, guide leaders and navigate the high-stakes moments where communication and reputation matter most. But Beth’s story is also about something deeply personal. After years of helping other people and organizations build their brands, she made the decision to build one of her own. Kraig and Beth talk about the lessons career professionals can use to become more intentional about how they show up, how they communicate their value and how they take greater ownership of the reputation they are building every day. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Beth’s path into public relations • What she learned from working with major sports and lifestyle brands • Why reputation is built long before a crisis arrives • What great communicators understand about trust • How professionals can become more visible without becoming self-promotional • Why your personal brand deserves the same attention as a company brand • The importance of consistency, credibility and authenticity • What it took for Beth to step out on her own • Why betting on yourself can become one of the biggest career decisions you make • How her definition of success has changed over time Beth’s story is a reminder that your reputation is being built whether you are managing it intentionally or not. Her message? Know your value. Own your story. And don’t wait for someone else to promote the brand called YOU. 🎧 Listen to this episode of Tracks To Success with Kraig Kann—and subscribe on Kraig's YouTube Channel to watch the show and get more inspiring stories from leaders, entrepreneurs, visionaries and changemakers. Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

  2. Oct 20

    Kent Skornia

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Kent Skornia: Building a Business by Building People What does it take to build a successful company—and still make people the most important part of the story? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Kent Skornia, founder of Krilogy, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, culture and what it really means to accomplish something that lasts. Kent founded Krilogy in 2009 with a vision that went far beyond financial services. He wanted to build a company where people could grow, clients could feel genuinely cared for and leadership development would become part of the culture—not just a talking point. The name Krilogy reflects a philosophy Kent calls “The Art of Accomplishment”—the belief that meaningful success is built through energy, discipline, consistency and a willingness to do the work every day. But this conversation is about much more than building a business. It’s about building people. Kraig and Kent talk about the importance of culture, recognizing potential in others, learning to trust people with bigger responsibilities and understanding that a leader’s greatest impact may come through the people they help develop. They also discuss Kent’s recent recognition as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Heartland Award finalist, an honor that gave him a chance to reflect on how far Krilogy has come—and why he believes there is still so much more ahead. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Why Kent chose entrepreneurship • What “The Art of Accomplishment” means to him • Building Krilogy during uncertain times • Why culture has to be protected as a company grows • Developing the next generation of leaders • Recognizing potential before someone sees it in themselves • What Kent has learned about trust and delegation • The meaning behind his recent EY recognition • Why that experience motivated him instead of making him feel finished • How his definition of success has evolved Kent’s story is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of culture—and accomplishment means more when other people grow with you. His message? Build the business. Build the culture. But never stop building the people. 🎧 Listen to this episode of Tracks To Success with Kraig Kann—and subscribe to Kraig's YouTube Channel for more inspiring stories from leaders, entrepreneurs, visionaries and changemakers. Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

  3. Oct 13

    Janice Kapner

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Janice Kapner: Building the Story. Shaping the Brand. Leading with Influence. What does it take to help transform a challenger brand into an industry leader — and make sure the story is every bit as powerful as the strategy behind it? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Janice Kapner, longtime T-Mobile executive and former Chief Communications & Corporate Responsibility Officer, for a conversation about leadership, storytelling, influence and the power of great communication. Janice spent more than a decade at T-Mobile, playing an instrumental role in shaping and telling the company’s bold “Un-carrier” story as the organization evolved from industry challenger to champion. Before that, she spent 10 years at Microsoft, eventually leading worldwide communications for Microsoft Office. Her career has been built around some of the moments when communication matters most — major transformations, leadership changes, reputation challenges and opportunities to create a story people can believe in. Janice shares what she has learned about earning trust, influencing people without always having direct authority, navigating change and understanding that communication isn’t simply something leaders do — it is a fundamental part of how they lead. 📣 From Silicon Valley startups to Microsoft to the executive ranks at T-Mobile, Janice’s journey is a reminder that the right story can move people, strengthen a brand and help change the trajectory of an organization. 🎯 Inside the episode: Why great leaders must also become great communicatorsHow storytelling helped differentiate and build the T-Mobile brandWhat it takes to influence people when you don’t control the decisionWhy trust, clarity and follow-through matter at every level of leadershipHow curiosity and adaptability can open unexpected doors in your careerThis isn’t simply a conversation about corporate communications. It’s about influence, trust and understanding the power of the story you choose to tell. Janice Kapner reminds us that brands don’t build themselves. Neither do careers. Both require clarity, courage and the ability to connect people to something they believe is worth following. 🔗 Subscribe, share, and follow the journey toward A Brand New You. 🎥 You can also watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann’s YouTube Channel Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

  4. Oct 6

    Dave Christensen

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Dave Christensen: Leadership, Reinvention & Knowing When to Go For It What happens when the final whistle blows — and the career that defined you suddenly changes? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Dave Christensen, former Division I head football coach, longtime offensive coordinator, author, and leadership speaker, for a conversation about pressure, perseverance, reinvention, and what it means to keep moving forward when life presents its own fourth-down moments. Christensen spent more than four decades in football, with coaching stops that included Missouri, Toledo, Wyoming, Utah, Texas A&M, and Arizona State. He served as head coach at Wyoming, earned Mountain West Coach of the Year honors, and built a reputation as an innovative offensive mind during a career spent developing players, staffs, and high-performing teams. Today, Dave has taken those lessons beyond the football field. As the author of YOUR 4th Down: Why You Need to Go For It, he challenges leaders to recognize the defining moments when playing it safe may no longer be the answer — and to rely on preparation, discipline, courage, and belief when the pressure is highest. 🏈 Inside the episode: • What four decades of coaching taught Dave about leadership and influence • The lessons he learned working alongside some of college football’s most respected coaches • His experience leading the University of Wyoming football program • What pressure and failure can teach us about growth • Why preparation and discipline matter when the stakes are highest • Dave’s A.D.A.P.T. Game Plan for life and leadership • How he handled the transition from coaching into his next chapter • Why everyone eventually faces a personal or professional “4th Down” • And how to know when it’s time to stop playing it safe — and go for it Dave Christensen’s story is a reminder that success is not simply about what happens on the scoreboard. It’s about how you prepare, how you respond when things get difficult, and whether you have the courage to keep moving when your path suddenly changes. 🎧 Listen to Tracks To Success on all the top podcast platforms and watch the full conversation on the Kraig Kann YouTube channel. Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

  5. Sep 29

    Kathy Seegebrecht

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Kathy Seegebrecht: Leading with Trust, Listening First & Building What Comes Next What does it take to lead across industries, functions and continents—and still stay grounded in people? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Kathy Seegebrecht, former senior executive at UL Solutions, for a conversation about leadership, trust, reinvention and the lessons that come from four decades of professional growth. Kathy’s career began in sales and evolved into senior leadership roles in marketing, brand, customer experience and business operations. Along the way, she held global positions with companies including BP, Navistar and UL Solutions, where she helped shape the company’s marketing organization, brand story and regional leadership strategy. But Kathy’s story is about much more than titles. It’s about listening before leading. It’s about building trust before asking people to follow. And it’s about recognizing that the strongest leaders are often the ones who remain curious, keep learning and create opportunities for others to grow. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • The early experiences that shaped Kathy’s ambition • Why sales taught her to listen first • How trust became central to her leadership philosophy • Moving from sales into marketing and executive leadership • Leading across cultures and large organizations • Helping modernize and reposition the UL Solutions brand • What it takes to lead through change and uncertainty • The importance of mentoring, advocacy and developing people • Why curiosity matters at every stage of a career • What retirement means after decades of leadership Kathy also shares how her definition of success has evolved—and why the people you help along the way may ultimately matter more than any title you earn. Her message is a powerful one: Listen first. Learn constantly. Build trust. And use your experience to help others move forward. 🎧 Listen to this episode of Tracks To Success with Kraig Kann—and subscribe to Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel for more inspiring stories from leaders, entrepreneurs, visionaries and changemakers. Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

  6. Sep 22

    Mike Flaskey

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Mike Flaskey: Building Brands, Creating Experiences & Leading What’s Next What does it take to transform major organizations, lead iconic hospitality brands and create experiences people never forget? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Mike Flaskey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, for a conversation about leadership, innovation, reinvention and the power of turning big ideas into real experiences. Mike stepped into his current role in February 2026 after more than 25 years of leadership across the hospitality and vacation ownership industries. His career has included more than a decade at Diamond Resorts International, where he ultimately served as CEO and led the company through significant growth and transformation before its sale to Hilton Grand Vacations. He later founded his own sports and entertainment company and served as CEO of Hornblower Group before returning to the vacation ownership industry with Marriott Vacations Worldwide. But Mike’s story is about much more than titles. It’s about seeing what could be better—and doing something about it. Kraig and Mike talk about building cultures that encourage innovation, creating customer experiences that become true brand differentiators, developing people, navigating major career transitions and having the confidence to keep moving forward when the next opportunity doesn’t look exactly like the last one. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • The leadership philosophy behind Mike’s career • Transforming Diamond Resorts and leading through major growth • Why memorable experiences create powerful brands • Turning ideas into action instead of waiting for permission • What innovation looks like inside a large organization • Reinvention, setbacks and knowing when it’s time for something new • Building teams that see opportunity instead of limitation • Mike’s return to the vacation ownership industry with Marriott Vacations Worldwide • How his definition of success has evolved along the way Mike Flaskey has built a career by refusing to simply accept the way things have always been done. His message for anyone looking to get ahead? Don’t just identify what could be better. Be willing to help make it better. It’s a conversation about leadership, experience, innovation and continuing to build what comes next. 🎧 Listen to this episode of Tracks To Success with Kraig Kann—and subscribe On Kraig's YouTube channel for more inspiring stories from leaders, entrepreneurs, visionaries and changemakers. Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

  7. Sep 15

    Bridgett McGowen

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Bridgett McGowen: Find Your Voice. Own the Room. Be Unforgettable. What does it take to become the kind of communicator people remember — not simply because of what you say, but because of how you make them feel? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Bridgett McGowen, award-winning international professional speaker, author and communication expert known as “The Presentation Fixer.” For more than two decades, Bridgett has helped professionals communicate with greater clarity, confidence and impact — and learn how to become more memorable in the moments that matter. Bridgett’s own journey started long before the big stages. She traces her love of communication back to standing in front of her childhood church, eventually turning that early confidence with words into a career that has taken her in front of audiences around the world. Along the way, she has become an award-winning author, entrepreneur, publisher and sought-after presentation coach. She opens up about the importance of believing in your voice, showing up with intention and understanding that leadership presence isn’t reserved for people with impressive titles. It belongs to anyone willing to communicate with confidence and purpose. 🎤 From finding your voice to owning a room, Bridgett’s story is a reminder that being unforgettable isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about bringing the best version of yourself into it. 🎯 Inside the episode: Why great communication starts with confidence in yourselfWhat separates an ordinary presenter from an unforgettable oneHow authenticity helps people connect with your messageWhy presence matters in leadership — regardless of your titleThe importance of showing up even when you may not feel completely readyThis isn’t simply a conversation about public speaking. Kraig gets a lively chat going about about confidence, connection and the courage to let people see who you really are. Bridgett McGowen reminds us that your voice has value. Your presence matters. And when you learn how to bring the two together, you give people something worth remembering. 🔗 Subscribe, share, and follow the journey toward A Brand New You. 🎥 You can also Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann’s YouTube Channel Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

  8. Sep 8

    Jamie Pollard

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks To Success | Jamie Pollard: Building a Vision, Leading with Conviction What does it take to transform an athletic department, build belief around a vision, and lead through more than two decades of constant change in college sports? In this episode of Tracks To Success, Kraig Kann sits down with Jamie Pollard, longtime Director of Athletics at Iowa State University, for a conversation about leadership, competition, calculated risk and what it takes to build something that lasts. A former NCAA national champion distance runner who began his professional career as a CPA, Jamie took an unconventional road into college athletics before eventually arriving at Iowa State in 2005. More than two decades later, his leadership has helped reshape the Cyclone athletic program, its facilities, its fan base and its national profile. Jamie shares the mindset behind making difficult decisions, trusting your instincts and staying committed to a long-term vision — especially when others may not immediately see what you see. 🏃 From competing on the track to leading one of the nation’s major college athletic departments, Jamie’s story is a reminder that great leadership requires endurance, confidence and the willingness to keep moving forward. 🎯 Inside the episode: How a competitive mindset can shape the way you leadWhy leaders have to be willing to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisionsThe importance of creating belief around a bigger visionHow culture, people and relationships drive long-term successWhy staying true to who you are matters when the pressure risesThis isn’t simply a conversation about college sports. It’s about vision, conviction and having the courage to lead your own way. Jamie Pollard reminds us that success doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from seeing what’s possible, believing in the direction and bringing enough people with you to make that vision real. 🔗 Subscribe, share, and follow the journey toward A Brand New You. 🎥 Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann’s YouTube Channel Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

See All (69)

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Kraig Kann, a veteran golf broadcaster and former C-Suite sports executive turned business entrepreneur, hosts the top podcast that brings you inspiring people and their inspiring success stories. How did they find their way to the top? How can their path help you do the same? As a speaker, consultant, author and leadership workshop facilitator himself, Kraig has a high energy fun chat with other top leaders and top personalities from all walks and all professions and gives his guests the platform to share untold stories about their rise up the ranks. On "Tracks to Success" you'll hear from big time names and names ready to hit the big time in a 5-star podcast you don't want to miss. 

Information

  • Creator
    Kraig Kann
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tracks To Success
  • Show Website
    Tracks To Success