The Early Edge Mentorship Podcast

Jay Messner and Jeff Andrews
  • 5.0 (12)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Early Edge–a mentorship podcast for next generation leaders. Hosts Jay Messner and Jeff Andrews have spent decades growing businesses and leading people. Now, they’re sharing the lessons, insights, and hard-earned wisdom they wish they had known in their 20s and 30s. Whether you’re just getting started in your career or stepping into your first leadership role, this podcast is here to give you an added edge.

  1. Early Edge – Preparation, Mindset, and Momentum: Lessons from Snowbasin

    9H AGO

    Early Edge – Preparation, Mindset, and Momentum: Lessons from Snowbasin

    Big initiatives require the right pace, the right tools, and the right mindset. Jay and Jeff share thoughts from a recent ski trip to Snowbasin which translate directly to leadership, transformation, and career growth—how to prepare effectively, embrace discomfort, and maintain momentum without putting your team at risk. Many times the only way down is through the moguls!

    22 min

  2. JAN 16

    Early Edge – Why Asking for Help Can Change Everything

    Why is asking for help so hard sometimes? In this episode, Jay and Jeff unpack the pride, fear, and uncertainty that keep so many of us stuck trying to figure things out alone. From the days of refusing to stop for directions to real-life stories of career pressure, financial mistakes, and emotional breakdowns, they share moments that shaped how they think about this today. You’ll hear why “getting the first word out” can be the hardest part, how passivity and lack of vision hold us back, and why asking for help is actually a sign of strength. Packed with practical advice and real vulnerability, this episode will challenge you to rethink independence and start building a support system that helps you grow faster and live healthier.

    30 min

  3. 12/26/2025

    Early Edge – Year-End Reset: Reflect, Organize, and Plan for 2026

    As the year winds down, Jay and Jeff walk through their personal year-end habits for reflection and planning. They discuss how to use holiday downtime intentionally—reviewing the past year, setting priorities for the next, and resetting systems that support focus and execution. From journaling and note-taking to goal setting, organization tools, and building a system that actually sticks, this episode offers practical ways to close the year strong and start the next one with direction and momentum.

    17 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    Early Edge – Know Your Audience & Read the Room to Increase Influence

    A key part of effective communication is knowing your audience and making intentional choices to increase your ability to connect and influence. In this episode, Jay and Jeff break down how to prepare, listen for clues, read the room, and adapt your communication in both planned presentations and spontaneous interactions. Packed with practical advice and real stories, this episode will help you communicate with intention and increase your chances of influencing others.

    33 min

  5. 11/30/2025

    Early Edge – Guest Tom Ujvagi on Five Common Contradictions in Leadership

    In this episode, we sit down with veteran leader Tom Ujvagi, who shares five common tensions is leadership. From navigating the messy reality that “management is great… except for the people,” to the art of being friendly—but not friends—with your team, Tom offers clear, hard-earned wisdom for leading well. We dig into the importance of delivering on commitments, recognizing failure, and training your replacement. If you want practical tips for your first leadership role , this conversation delivers it.

    32 min

  6. 11/22/2025

    The Early Edge: What Government Shutdowns Teach Us About Failed Leadership

    Jay and Jeff take a candid look at failed leadership, using the recent government shutdown as a relatable example of what happens when leaders stop listening and refuse to work together. They explore why collaboration, compromise, and results-focused thinking aren’t optional—and share real stories of how peers inside businesses can uphold core principles to keep their teams aligned and moving forward.

    25 min
  7. Early Edge – The Hidden Power of Taking Roles Nobody Wants

    11/13/2025

    Early Edge – The Hidden Power of Taking Roles Nobody Wants

    In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff sit down with manufacturing executive John Ooms to unpack one of the most overlooked career advantages: taking on the roles no one else wants. John shares how the “less desirable” jobs early in his career actually gave him more responsibility, more visibility, and more growth than he expected. While he felt underexposed, he was ultimately overdeveloped—and those experiences built the foundation for every leadership role that followed. This episode is a masterclass in mindset, perseverance, and seeing value in every opportunity—even the ones that don’t look ideal on paper.

    35 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Early Edge – The Books That Changed How We Lead and Work With Others

    Some books entertain. Some books change you. In this episode, Jay and Jeff share a few of the books that had an outsized impact on their leadership, careers, and mindset. From eliminating bottlenecks with The Goal, to getting out of your own way with Leadership and Self-Deception, to building teams the right way with The Ideal Team Player, this episode is packed with practical lessons for young professionals looking for an edge. If you want to grow faster, lead better, and skip a few hard-earned mistakes—you don’t want to miss this one.

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Early Edge–a mentorship podcast for next generation leaders. Hosts Jay Messner and Jeff Andrews have spent decades growing businesses and leading people. Now, they’re sharing the lessons, insights, and hard-earned wisdom they wish they had known in their 20s and 30s. Whether you’re just getting started in your career or stepping into your first leadership role, this podcast is here to give you an added edge.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Messner and Jeff Andrews
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Early Edge Mentorship Podcast