Outside Insights

Chris Burkhard
  • 4.6 (10)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Outside Insights with Chris Burkhard is a podcast for people who want more — more clarity, more purpose, more impact. Hosted by entrepreneur and lifelong learner Chris Burkhard, the show explores how bold leaders, builders, and thinkers close the gap between the life they have and the life they want. Through honest conversations and powerful stories, we unpack the lessons that shape real lives and careers. If you're looking for ideas that challenge you, motivate you, and help you grow, you’re in the right place.  🎙️ New episodes drop once a month. 🌐 Listen at myplacers.com/outside-insights 📩 Follow for fresh insights that meet you where you are, and push you further. 

  1. 21H AGO

    The Ocean Is Calling (and It Needs Your Talent) - Episode 72

    Send us Fan Mail Grant Otto on what 1,000 feet underwater can teach us about career purpose and the power of "waiting." “The biggest ‘career moves’ don’t start with a resume; they start with curiosity.” I recently sat down with Grant Otto, a marine scientist and researcher specializing in marine robotics. If that sounds like a job from a movie, that’s because it almost is, complete with stories of underwater ROVs getting tangled 1,000 feet down and “wet storage” missions to recover equipment worth more than a house. But Grant didn’t come on Outside Insights just to talk about how cool the tech is (though it is very cool). He came because he’s on a mission: he’s trying to get more talented people to care about the ocean. Three Lessons from the Deep 1. We need more than just “Turtle Lovers.” Most people get hooked on marine science by watching National Geographic. But to solve the massive challenges facing our oceans, warming waters, and rising acidity, Grant argues we need more than just biology fans. To build a “Blue Economy,” we need: Engineers and Builders to design resilient tech.Artists and Communicators to tell the story of our changing coastlines.Problem Solvers who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty (or wet).2. The Power of the Cold Email Grant’s career didn’t start with a recruiter; it started with a cold email. While studying mechanical engineering, he realized he loved robotics and surfing. He asked a simple question: “What about marine robotics?” That curiosity turned into a Master’s degree and a career with deep purpose. 3. Surfing as Leadership Meditation We dove into the difference between work that “funds your life” and work that “defines you.” Grant shared a powerful perspective on surfing, describing as 80–90% waiting. For leaders who feel like they are constantly “pushing through,” Grant’s advice is a necessary pivot: Sometimes leadership isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about knowing when to get quiet enough to hear the right wave. Try This This Week Take five minutes of “waiting” time today, no phone, no music, no noise. Just observe. Like Grant waiting for a wave, use that quiet space to remember your “why.” 🎧 Listen Now Watch on YouTube | Listen on Buzzsprout Connect with Grant: Sea Saturated WebsiteLinkedInInstagramUntil next time, Chris P.S. You may notice a few small audio/video glitches in this episode. We had some technical issues during the recording. We debated re-recording it, but the conversation was too good (and too valuable) to lose. Thanks for sticking with it. If this conversation resonates, forward it to a friend or colleague. Insight is meant to be shared. Quick reviews on your listening app go a long way, too.

    46 min

  2. FEB 27

    Banking, Trust, and the Entrepreneur’s First “Yes” - Episode 71

    Send us Fan Mail A conversation with community banker Marc Pelletier on trust, credit, and how entrepreneurs can walk into the bank with confidence Most entrepreneurs would rather go to the doctor than go meet a banker. So I brought on my first banker, and an old friend, Marc Pelletier to talk about what entrepreneurs actually need to know about banks, credit, and building trust. In this episode: How banking has changed since 2001What banks look for (and why)Community banking explainedBanker vs. investorFinding the right fit (yes, banks have personalities)Marc Pelletier: https://www.meridianbanker.com/people/marc/

    56 min

  3. JAN 30

    Uncharted Moments: What Lewis & Clark Still Teach Us About Leadership, Listening, and Love - Episode 70

    Send us Fan Mail Why slowing down, listening better, and taking the long way still matters I sat down with Jeff Ton expecting a conversation about leadership and history. What I didn’t expect was how much we’d end up talking about attention, where we place it, how rarely we slow down, and what happens when we actually do. Jeff calls himself a “hippie coder turned CIO,” and that range alone tells you he’s lived in very different worlds. Over time, his love of leadership and fascination with Lewis and Clark merged into something more personal, eventually culminating in a book he’s finishing now called Uncharted Moments. It’s not out yet, but after reading an early version and talking with Jeff, I can tell you this isn’t a typical history story. Leadership Without A Clear Map One idea we kept coming back to was uncertainty. Jeff reminded me that Lewis and Clark carried a map that labeled most of the western territory as “conjectural.” Unknown. That didn’t stop them from moving forward, but it did require vision, trust, and adaptability. That challenge feels familiar today. Leading without perfect information isn’t a new problem, but it’s one we often forget has been solved before, by people who understood the value of relationships and shared purpose. Listening Changes The Story One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was about listening. Jeff talks about how his understanding of the expedition shifted when he stopped seeing it as a story of discovery and began to see it as a story of relationships, especially with Indigenous tribes who already knew the land. That shift didn’t just change how he understood history. It changed how he approached leadership, learning, and even his own marriage. Uncharted Moments Jeff uses the phrase “uncharted moments” to describe the experiences you can’t plan for, the ones that don’t announce themselves as important until much later. They’re the moments you only notice if you’re willing to slow down, take the side road, or stay curious a little longer than usual. It’s a simple idea, but one we don’t practice often enough. Where Are You In The River? Jeff shared a metaphor that I think many leaders will recognize. Imagine your team in a river, navigating the current every day. Sometimes you need to be in the water with them. Sometimes you need to be on the bank helping them find a way through. And sometimes you need to step back far enough to see the whole valley. Leadership isn’t about picking one role. It’s about knowing when to shift. Try This Week Take five quiet minutes and ask yourself: Where am I rushing past something worth noticing?Where do I need to listen more rather than pushing ahead?Where am I in the river right now, and where does my team need me to be?Listen To The Episode Jeff’s book Uncharted Moments isn’t out yet, and we’ll share more when it’s released. For now, the conversation and Jeff’s website are a great place to start. 👉 Watch the full episode of Outside Insights with Jeff Ton 👉 Visit Jeff’s website to sign up for his free newsletter and to learn more about his book. Until next time, friends, Chris If this conversation resonates, forward it to a friend or colleague. Insight is meant to be shared. Quick reviews on your listening app go a long way, too.

    56 min

  4. JAN 2

    When Success Stops Being the Goal - Episode 69

    Send us Fan Mail I had the opportunity to sit down with Sam Maddula, a founder whose career does not fit a clean headline. What stood out immediately wasn’t the size of the business he built, but the decisions he made along the way, and the ones he chose not to make. This conversation isn’t about hacks or hypergrowth. It’s about judgment, timing, and the quiet moments when leaders realize the path forward isn’t obvious. A Business Built in the Margins Sam started his company in a highly specialized corner of healthcare, serving patients and physicians in situations where the stakes were high and the system rarely worked smoothly. Growth came, but not in the way business books describe it. Instead of rapid expansion, Sam talks about constraints. About capacity. About learning when “yes” would eventually cost more than it was worth. Those trade-offs shaped everything that followed. When Success Starts Asking Questions As the business matured, so did the weight of leadership. Responsibilities multiplied. Expectations rose. And life, as it does, introduced moments that forced Sam to reconsider what success actually required of him. We talk about what happens when the role you created begins to demand more than you’re willing to give, and how hard it is to admit that out loud. The Hardest Transition One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centers on transition. Not just the professional mechanics of stepping away, but the emotional and identity shift that follows. Sam shares what surprised him most about that period, what he underestimated, and what ultimately helped him move forward with clarity rather than regret. The Core Question Throughout the episode, one question keeps resurfacing: how do you build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process? Sam doesn’t offer formulas. He offers perspective shaped by experience, and the humility that comes from learning in real time. “You don’t really know what matters until you’re forced to choose.” This episode is a thoughtful look at leadership, transition, and the decisions that define a career long after the titles change. Click HERE to watch to the episode. Until next time, friends, Chris If this conversation resonates, forward it to a founder or leader who might appreciate it. Insight is meant to be shared.

    50 min

  5. 12/05/2025

    The Moving Meditation: Living with Gratitude, Resilience, and Awareness - Episode 68

    Send us Fan Mail I had the honor of hosting a long-time mentor and friend, Robert Larson, CPC. Bob’s journey is one I’ve followed since the start of my first business, and he even inspired my own early yoga practice by bringing his personal interests into the workplace. The episode is less about business growth and more about personal resilience and the powerful difference between working on your business versus in it; and ultimately, working on yourself. From Bicycle Messengers to Boutique Practice Bob's career spans decades, starting when résumés were shuttled by bicycle messengers and a portable fax machine cost $4,500. He built a large, successful staffing firm. However, as the conversation reveals, he deliberately chose to downsize a few years ago. He found that running a large operation meant working on the business. Downsizing allowed him to return to the craft, the hands-on work of interviewing and placement, and find fulfillment, proving that the work is more fulfilling. The Catastrophic Gift of Life Bob's most compelling story is about the massive health crisis he faced over 20 years ago that put him on life support, reshaping his outlook on life, work, and gratitude. He discusses how his decades-long practices in silent meditation and Bikram (hot) yoga became his lifeline. When he woke up on a respirator, he used the machine's rhythm to perform Ujjayi breathing meditation. As his sister-in-law wisely noted, he "trained his entire life for these illnesses." Now, at 75, he embodies reinvention and acceptance, trading marathons for chair yoga, and viewing every physical challenge as a teaching moment. The Core Takeaway: Find Your DNA Life comes with no warranties or guarantees. Bob's advice on career and contentment is simple yet revolutionary: find what is in your DNA and what you love to do, and the money will follow. His perspective on career fulfillment, the necessity of personal practice, and the struggle to stay in the present moment is a powerful reminder that awareness is the practice, and coming back to stillness is the key to clarity. "If a person does what they love, the money follows because they rise to the top of what they're doing." — Robert Larson, CPC Listen to the Full Conversation Don't miss Bob's incredible story of resilience and his profound advice on living an aware and grateful life. Books, Websites, and Resources Mentioned We always highlight the resources mentioned by our guests so you can follow their lead. Substack: You can follow Bob Larson's active daily blog and get a peek into his daily practice of gratitude and awarenessA Book for Letting Go: Let Them by Mel RobbinsThe Business Essential: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. GerberCareer Assessments: The Kuder Career Assessment and Campbell Interest and Skill SurveyUntil next time, friends,  Chris If this conversation resonates, forward it to a friend or colleague. Insight is meant to be shared. Quick reviews on your listening app go a long way, too.

    45 min

  6. 11/07/2025

    The Business of You: From Employee to CEO of Your Own Life – Episode 67

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back Marnie Stockman, Ed.D. and Nick Coniglio, authors of the phenomenal new book, The Business of You. This episode provides a complete methodology for anyone doing the “right things” (good grades, internships, etc.) but still struggling to stand out or land the job they actually want. It's time to stop letting the world define your value and start defining it yourself. The traditional career ladder is obsolete. We discuss why you must Run Your Life Like a Business, serving as your own CEO, Head of HR (identifying your core values), and Head of Marketing (crafting your personal brand). We explore the essential difference between the old Credential Ladder (stacking titles) and the Value Ladder (generating value for others). Learn why you need a Personal Board of Advisors—specifically a Challenger—to push you. Your competitive advantage is your Story. In a world of AI-scanned resumes, learn how to move from selling your story to genuinely sharing it. Finally, we cover the Power of Adaptability and why you must practice resilience using a pre-mortem to stress-test your plans before they fail. “If you’re not intentionally taking care of what your persona is in the public, it will be done for you. People will make assumptions.” Listen to Episode 67 for the full discussion. Until next time, friends,  Chris

    41 min

  7. 10/10/2025

    Ari Weinzweig on Vision, Dignity & the Art of Business – Episode 66

    Send us Fan Mail I’ve wanted Ari Weinzweig on the show for a long time. If you don’t know Ari, he co-founded Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor and helped grow a single deli into a whole community of businesses including a bakehouse, coffee shop, candy store, ZingTrain, and more, without losing soul. That’s rare. We cover a lot, but here are the big beats, human-sized: From Dishes to Direction Ari didn’t plan a career in food. He connected with great people, put in the work, and eventually discovered the power of writing a clear, story-based vision, not just a spreadsheet of goals. It’s All One Life Self-awareness isn’t a side project. If you’re pretending to be someone else at work, it shows. The real win is being the same person both on and off the clock. Systems That Serve People ZingTrain turned good habits into teachable tools: purposeful meetings, open-book rhythms, and change done with people (Bottom-Line Change). Business as Art What if every email, service moment, and decision is a brushstroke? Choose beauty on purpose, especially when it’s easier not to. Dignity, Daily Ari shared six practices that make workplace cultures feel different in the best way: Honor everyone’s humanityBe authentic (without acting out)Give people a meaningful sayStart from positive beliefsHelp folks reach their version of greatness (within your values)Work toward equity: pay, information, access, and supportWhy This Matters Right Now Uncertain times tempt leaders to tighten fists and shrink vision. Ari argues the opposite: tell a vivid story of where you’re going, build simple systems that help people win, and practice dignity, especially when you’re tired. That combination scales culture without hollowing it out. “Vision is a story of the future you want to create, done from the heart, not just from a momentary strategic analysis.” Links & resources Listen to Episode #66 with Ari WeinzweigZingerman’s Community of Businesses (deli, bakehouse, creamery, mail order, coffee, Roadhouse, candy, Cornman Farms, Miss Kim, food tours)ZingTrain training: visioning, service, open-book habits, Bottom-Line ChangeAri’s books & pamphlets: A Lapsed Anarchist’s Guide series; The Art of Business; A Revolution of Dignity; Life Lessons I Learned from Being a Line

    1h 9m

  8. 08/29/2025

    Building for the Long Game – Episode 65

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Outside Insights, I sat down with my good friend John Sanders, founder of Bridgeforce, to talk about what it really takes to build a business that endures. John’s story isn’t about quick wins or flashy exits. Over the past 25 years, he and his partner have built a management consultancy serving global banks, credit unions, fintechs, and lenders — staying true to the values they set on day one. The Leap of Faith Bridgeforce began with a breakfast conversation, a bold “I’m in,” and a same-day resignation. No parachute. No safety net. Just conviction that failure was not an option. That leap defined the next quarter-century of John’s life. Lessons from the Journey Throughout our conversation, John shared some hard-earned lessons: Every stage brings new challenges. Surviving the first three years was one kind of test. Scaling brought others. Even today, the obstacles evolve.Motion creates insight. You can’t steer a parked car. Progress requires movement, even when the path isn’t perfect.Culture matters. Bridgeforce was built on a simple plus/minus exercise: do more of what we admired in others, none of what we didn’t. That clarity still guides the company.Protect what you value. Whether it’s intellectual property, your people, or your principles, what matters to you will matter to others — and sometimes it must be defended.Strategic energy beats constant energy. You don’t need to win every race. You just need to run the right ones.Leadership Through Crisis We also talked about leading in uncertain times, including the pandemic. John’s approach was deeply personal: calling every employee, shouldering their worries, and reminding them they didn’t have to carry the weight alone. That philosophy — let me worry for you — says a lot about the leader John has become. What He’d Tell His 21-Year-Old Self Relax. Sit in the pocket. Don’t rush. And… buy Apple stock. Recommended Reading One of John’s all-time favorite books is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom — a reminder that the most profound lessons on how to live often come from those nearing the end. Connect with John You can learn more about John and Bridgeforce at: 👉 Bridgeforce.com In the end, John and I agreed that the true rewards in business and life are often the simplest: a good meal, a walk, and maybe a nap. 🎧 Listen to Episode 65 now 📩 Share this with someone who’s carrying too much alone — and could use a reminder that leadership means sharing the load. Until next time, friends, Chris

    49 min
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4.6
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About

Outside Insights with Chris Burkhard is a podcast for people who want more — more clarity, more purpose, more impact. Hosted by entrepreneur and lifelong learner Chris Burkhard, the show explores how bold leaders, builders, and thinkers close the gap between the life they have and the life they want. Through honest conversations and powerful stories, we unpack the lessons that shape real lives and careers. If you're looking for ideas that challenge you, motivate you, and help you grow, you’re in the right place.  🎙️ New episodes drop once a month. 🌐 Listen at myplacers.com/outside-insights 📩 Follow for fresh insights that meet you where you are, and push you further. 

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Burkhard
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Outside Insights
  • Show Website
    Outside Insights