The New Generation Leader - Your Tools for Winning in the Digital World

Aaron Lee
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

You are an expert at your business strategy, but now it's time to build your People Strategy. Build your toolkit for high-performing teams, increase profits, and impact communities. Become the leader our world needs! Subscribe today on your favorite platform and tune into our next episode.

  1. Jun 4

    The 2nd Mistake Kills You: Intentionality, Resilience, and Year 1 at VCU with Phil Martelli, Jr.

    Phil Martelli Jr. just finished his first year as head men's basketball coach at VCU. The team won the Atlantic 10, made the NCAA tournament, and beat North Carolina along the way. His kids cut down two championship nets in two seasons, once at Bryant in the America East and once at VCU. He sat down to talk through what it actually takes to build a program at that pace. The conversation runs through the anchors of his coaching philosophy. One mistake can hurt you. The second mistake kills you. He carries that into how he hires staff, recruits players, manages a season, and shows up in his own family. Phil talks about the day at the start of his career when he turned down a grad-assistant job at Clemson to stay at Central Connecticut. Six weeks later, his future wife walked into his camp. He talks about being the best teammate even when he was never the best player. He talks about Lincoln, twenty-nine failed businesses behind one success, and a phone full of notes on people the world calls winners and the wreckage that sits right behind them. This is a conversation about how a coach builds the kind of program that wins early without burning the people inside it. Show Outline02:30 - Peaks and valleys. Knowing when to ramp up and when to bring it back down.03:15 - Year one to year two. Building the right team at the staff level first.04:40 - Talent and character, not either or.05:40 - Consistency through the rough patches. No magic wand, no secret.07:10 - Where the values came from. His dad, and being around good people.08:30 - Always the best teammate, even when he was never the best player.09:40 - Twenty-four years of fingerprints. Every coach he ever worked for shows up somewhere.11:00 - Turning down Clemson. The decision that did not look right to anyone else.17:00 - Blending family and program. Why the kids are in the office and on the road.21:30 - Setting the example. You cannot ask for consistency you do not give.24:30 - The first mistake hurts you. The second mistake kills you.26:00 - Fascinated with failure. Lincoln, twenty-nine failed businesses, and the phone full of notes.28:30 - Easy to care about number five when he drops twenty and ten. Caring about the person is the work.30:30 - What he wants his players to remember at thirty-five and forty.About the guestPhil Martelli Jr. is the head men's basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth University. He played for his father, the longtime Saint Joseph's head coach, and built his coaching career across stops at Central Connecticut, Manhattan, Niagara, Delaware, the Delaware 87ers (NBA G League), Saint Joseph's, and Bryant. He took over at Bryant in 2022, won the America East regular-season title, and was named America East Coach of the Year. He arrived at VCU ahead of the 2024 to 2025 season and led the Rams to the Atlantic 10 championship and an NCAA tournament appearance in his first year on the job. LinksVCU Men's Basketball: vcuathletics.comPhil Martelli Jr. @pmjr10 on X (Twitter)Atlantic 10 Conference: atlantic10.com

    The 2nd Mistake Kills You: Intentionality, Resilience, and Year 1 at VCU with Phil Martelli, Jr.

  2. Mar 5

    From Status Quo to Growth: Will Melton on AI, Entrepreneurship, and Building What Richmond Needs

    Will didn't set out to become Richmond's leading voice on artificial intelligence. A chance encounter during a Chamber RVA trip to DC, a conversation with Senator Mark Warner fresh off a meeting with Sam Altman, and a community ready for a catalyst moment changed everything. Will shares the origin story of AI Ready RVA and why he believes Richmond is at a turning point. From raking leaves as a kid in a cash-strapped household to buying into a business at age 20, Will has always been wired to build. He opens up about the tension between founding and operating, why great teams matter more than great founders, and what it actually takes to move a status quo business into a growth business. Will's honest take on AI adoption, learning by doing, and finding a buddy to grow alongside makes this a practical, grounding episode for any leader navigating change right now. Resources & Links Exponent 21: exponent21.comAI Ready RVA: [aireadyrva.com]Will on LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/willharris]Leadership Metro Richmond: [leadershipmetrorichmond.org] Episode Timestamps 00:21 - How Will became Richmond's AI voice01:30 - The Chamber RVA DC trip that started it all02:45 - Why Richmond's poverty rate fueled Will's mission04:00 - AI Ready RVA: what it is and how it runs04:41 - How other cities and regions are funding AI hubs07:35 - Will's entrepreneurial roots and a cash-strapped childhood09:10 - Why he has always preferred starting over managing11:20 - Founders who stay too long and the status quo trap12:21 - Why great teams are the real answer for founders14:27 - The Tim Ferriss myth and appreciating operational discipline17:51 - What Will would tell his 20-year-old self19:54 - Why fear of the unknown only shrinks by doing21:38 - How the brain shortchanges us from starting23:34 - Will's one piece of advice for the AI-skeptical: find a buddy25:36 - On giving yourself permission to quit and try something new

    From Status Quo to Growth: Will Melton on AI, Entrepreneurship, and Building What Richmond Needs

  3. Jan 21

    Building a Studio on Relationships: Mack Garrison on Community, Creativity, and the 84% Rule

    Mack Garrison didn't plan to become an entrepreneur. He decided the day before launching Dash Studio. What started as a single CNN project with his co-worker turned into a nearly 10-year journey building one of the leading animation and motion design agencies in the Southeast. Mack shares how Dash Studio has thrived on a foundation of creativity and community. With 84% of their work coming through referrals, he breaks down why relationships matter more than sales tactics. From throwing the annual Dash Bash animation festival in Raleigh to building intentional remote team culture, Mack reveals the systems that keep distributed creative teams connected and productive. The conversation tackles AI's impact on creative work, why supporting your competition pays off, and the research showing givers outperform takers in the long run. Mack offers practical frameworks for leaders navigating change, building networks, and fostering collaboration across departments. Resources Mentioned Dash Studio: https://dashstudio.netDash Bash Festival (Raleigh, NC): DashBash.net"The Art of Gathering" by Priya ParkerMack on LinkedIn: Mack GarrisonInstagram: @dash_nc Key Moments 00:00 - The accidental entrepreneur: deciding to start a business overnight 02:30 - Winning the Riot Games project with impossible deadlines 04:15 - Building on creativity and community as core pillars 08:30 - Remote team rhythms: Monday photos, Tuesday inspiration, monthly recaps 11:20 - Getting the whole team together twice a year 16:00 - How 84% of projects come from referrals and relationships 20:45 - Trial and error in building company culture 24:30 - Where meetings actually begin: the power of intentionality 28:00 - Balancing visionary thinking with operational structure 31:15 - AI won't replace creativity—it will evolve it 35:45 - Leaders should experiment first, then empower teams 40:20 - The future is collaborative: boutique agencies working together 43:30 - Givers vs. takers: the long-term business strategy that wins

    Building a Studio on Relationships: Mack Garrison on Community, Creativity, and the 84% Rule

  4. Jan 14

    Building Teams That Thrive Without Wringing Them Dry with Cory Nichols

    Cory Nichols knows something most leaders miss: the debt stacking up in your organization isn't just financial. As a financial advisor turned entrepreneur, Cory breaks down how avoidance — whether in finances or leadership — creates compounding problems that become harder to solve over time. In this conversation, Cory introduces the concept of "leadership debt" and shares his philosophy on getting people to take action through moments of realization rather than force. He unpacks the critical difference between wringing the sponge (extracting short-term results at the cost of people) versus creating a warm, dry environment where productivity happens naturally. From his firing at a small company to launching his own practice, Cory reveals what he learned about values-driven leadership, the dangers of metrics-only management, and why remembering your team members' kids' names matters more than utilization rates. He also discusses Cash Camp, his financial literacy program teaching kids foundational money skills that most adults still haven't mastered. Resources We Mentioned: Die with Zero (book)Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (book)Cash Camp Financial Literacy Program Connect with Cory Nichols Instagram: @cory__nicholsCash Camp Kids: Available via Cory's Instagram or CashCampKids.com Key Moments: 00:00:22 - Leadership debt vs. financial debt: how avoidance compounds problems00:03:45 - Creating moments of realization instead of forcing change00:05:30 - The vital signs approach: tracking income, expenses, and savings rate00:08:30 - The sponge analogy: wringing profits vs. sustainable growth00:12:15 - Boeing's "finds a way" value and its unintended consequences00:15:40 - Human-first leadership: values that prioritize people over metrics00:18:40 - Taking 60 employees to birthday lunches across Virginia00:24:50 - Getting fired and the myth of six-figure satisfaction00:31:20 - Roller coaster investing: managing risk so people don't jump off00:38:15 - Cash Camp: teaching kids financial skills vs. giving handouts00:42:30 - Financial anxiety affects everyone, regardless of wealth level00:46:10 - Vital signs approach: tracking your financial health quarterly00:48:35 - The 1% annual increase strategy for retirement savings00:51:20 - Advice to younger self: it's gonna get messy, and that's okay

    Building Teams That Thrive Without Wringing Them Dry with Cory Nichols

  5. 12/29/2025

    What 61 Books Taught Me About Leadership, Sales, and Life

    What happens when you stop drifting in your learning—and start paying attention on purpose? In this year-end review episode of The New Generation Leader Podcast, Aaron reflects on one simple but transformative habit: tracking what he read in 2025. What started as a sobering realization — he only read 6 books in all of 2024! — turned into an unexpected journey through 61 books, spanning leadership, sales, culture, memoirs, history, fiction, and everything in between. Read the full list > AaronLee.co/61-books In this episode, Aaron shares: Why he set a bold reading goal (and how it quietly reshaped his mindset)The themes that surprised him mostThe books that left a lasting imprintHow reading outside your comfort zone expands leadership perspectiveWhy slowing down, changing pace, and even reading fiction mattersWhether you’re a lifelong reader or someone trying to rediscover the habit, this episode is an invitation to keep learning, stay curious, and enter the new year with a wider lens. Show Outline 00:00 – Year-End Reflection & the Reading Wake-Up Call 03:30 – Setting an Audacious Goal: A Book a Week 08:30 – The System That Made 61 Books Possible 14:30 – Foundational Leadership & Mindset Reads 21:00 – Expanding Perspective Through History & Memoir 28:30 – Brand Stories, Culture & Long-Term Vision 36:30 – The Unexpected Sales Theme of the Year 44:30 – Fiction, Downshifting & Reading for Enjoyment 51:30 – Final Reflections & Looking Ahead Top 5 Books 1. Slow Productivity — Cal Newport 2. Shoe Dog — Phil Knight 3. Love as a Business Strategy — Mohammad Anwar 4. It Takes What It Takes — Trevor Moawad 5. The Barn — Wright Thompson

    What 61 Books Taught Me About Leadership, Sales, and Life

  6. 09/10/2025

    Is AI Making Us Less Human? Why Presence and Creativity Still Matter

    In a world where AI is rapidly automating everything from emails to artwork, what does it mean to stay fully human? In this rich and timely conversation, Micah Voraritskul unpacks the themes of his new book Human is the New Vinyl. From handwritten thank you notes to Blackwing pencils and vinyl records, this episode challenges leaders, creatives, and students to rethink their relationship with innovation, presence, and trust. Micah shares stories of cooking 300 meals from scratch, writing exclusively in pencil for a year, and resisting the urge to automate our most meaningful work. You’ll hear why creativity needs constraints, how trust is the foundation of leadership, and how to build a future that includes - not replaces - our humanity. Key Quotes “Presence is the price of connection.”“AI is a tool. But it cannot have a broken heart.”“We lead with trust or we live in suspicion. One builds flourishing. The other builds fear.” Resources Human is the New Vinyl by Micah Voraritskul — Buy on AmazonVerifiedHuman.info — Micah’s creative integrity consortiumBlackwing 602 Pencils on Amazon Show Outline (Timestamps) 00:00 – Welcome + Word association: kitchen tables, pencils, vinyl06:45 – Why Micah wrote Human is the New Vinyl13:00 – What AI gets wrong about creativity19:00 – How AI can be a tool without taking our soul23:10 – Leadership trust and the ethics of creation29:00 – The danger of drifting into dishonest creation35:00 – Why trust should be our filter42:00 – Micah’s dream for this book’s impact on students46:00 – Where to find the book and connect with Micah

    Is AI Making Us Less Human? Why Presence and Creativity Still Matter

  7. 09/08/2025

    Where have we been? Season 9 starts this week.

    Hey friends, it's been a while. Last spring, our team decided to launch a company podcast, which we launched in June. We're eight episodes in with our ninth scheduled to release soon. Follow along at LeadersRisingNetwork.com/Podcast. When we launched the podcast, I honestly thought I would shut down the New Generation Leader podcast for a bit. But after the summer, I realized I had more guests I wanted to interview. So this week, we start releasing new episodes. Season 9 of the New Generation Leader kicks off this week, and I'm excited for you to hear those conversations.

    Where have we been? Season 9 starts this week.

  8. 04/07/2025

    Leadership, Relationships, and Finding Your True Calling: A Conversation with Sophie Hudson

    Sit down with Sophie Hudson for an extraordinary exploration of leadership, personal growth, and the power of human connection. Sophie is a "pure delight" - which sets the stage for an inspiring dialogue about leadership, relationships, and finding one's true potential. Sophie Hudson is an author, podcast host, and former educator, and she shares profound insights into modern leadership, challenging traditional approaches and emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and genuine human connection. Dive into a rich discussion about leadership styles, generational differences, and how we can create more meaningful professional and personal environments. We cover: Innovative leadership approachesGenerational workplace dynamicsPersonal growth and self-discoveryThe power of relationships in leadership Follow Sophie Hudson Buy A Fine Sight to See [Amazon]Connect on Instagram @BooMama205Listen to Big + Boo Podcast Epispde 76 Transcript Coming soon!

    Leadership, Relationships, and Finding Your True Calling: A Conversation with Sophie Hudson
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

You are an expert at your business strategy, but now it's time to build your People Strategy. Build your toolkit for high-performing teams, increase profits, and impact communities. Become the leader our world needs! Subscribe today on your favorite platform and tune into our next episode.

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