Life and Leadership Stories

Nathaniel Noertker
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Hear from various leaders about their personal journey, challenges and growth areas focused on formative experiences, how their experiences shaped their approach to leadership, and rapid reflections based on lessons learned, biggest failures, and advice to their younger selves.

Episodes

  1. 11/03/2025

    Episode 5: Ryan Turnley - Leadership Is A Muscle

    Send us a text We explore how a small-town work ethic, early mentorship, and a bias for action shaped Ryan Turnley’s path from CPG problem-solver to Leader. The throughline: calm beats chaos, empower your people, and build systems that let others thrive. • early lessons in work ethic and customer service • pivotal college choices and career entry into CPG • first big project wins and learning from setbacks • shifting from tactics to strategy with retailers • building analytics and cost-to-serve visibility • leading through layoffs, recessions, and COVID • empowering teams, clearing priorities, staying calm • learning what not to do as a manager • serving community as EMT and applying it at work • owning your career path and finding mentors If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who needs encouragement today

    50 min

  2. 10/05/2025

    Episode 4: Lyn Sutton - Connection Is Currency

    Send us a text We talk with Lyn about turning failure into fuel, saying yes to stretch roles, and using relationships to open doors that skills alone don't always unlock. From Kroger to entrepreneurship, she shows how service, trust, and data-backed storytelling shape resilient careers. • Early pivots from journalism to numbers and food systems  • Breaking into category management through initiative and persistence  • Moving to Cincinnati, building credibility, and combating bias  • Crossing into sales with fact-based selling and integrity  • Networking as reputation: getting your name said in rooms  • Delegation as development and capacity, not abdication  • Fair isn’t always equal: tailoring support to motivations  • Continuous learning, upskilling, and asking for opportunities  • Leading with service and setting boundaries as a young manager If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who needs encouragement today.

    54 min

  3. 09/02/2025

    Episode 3: Yelena Idelchik - Leading with Joy and Purpose

    Send us a text Yelena Idelchik shares her 25-year journey in the CPG industry, from growing up in the Soviet Union to leading brands at Nabisco, Colgate-Palmolive, Cody, and Reckitt, with powerful insights on authentic leadership and team empowerment. • Learning the crucial difference: "A boss tells. A leader sets the vision, sets the example, and shares credit." • Building functions and teams that didn't exist before her arrival • The underrated power of joy in leadership – creating energy and optimism that's contagious • "The grass is greener where you water it" – focusing on nurturing what you have rather than what could have been • Using AI as a leadership development tool by analyzing meeting transcripts and practicing different approaches • Leadership is not about titles but how you show up – sometimes leading from the front, sometimes from the side, sometimes stepping back • The real test of leadership: whether people feel stronger because you were there

    46 min

  4. 08/09/2025

    Episode 2: Amishi Takalkar's Leadership Journey

    Send us a text What shapes a truly exceptional leader? In this captivating conversation with Amishi Takalkar, co-founder and CEO of Nailbiter, we explore the journey that transformed a young woman from Mumbai into a pioneering force in behavioral analytics. The heart of our conversation explores Amishi's cultural transition to America, where despite her English fluency, she encountered unexpected challenges with accents, cultural references, and professional norms. Her candid admission about struggling with "self-doubt" despite having valuable contributions resonates with anyone who's felt like an outsider. This experience transformed into wisdom: "Be the hardworking squeaky wheel" – recognizing that excellent work doesn't always speak for itself. What truly distinguishes Amishi's leadership philosophy is her refreshing perspective on workplace relationships. "We're not family, we're colleagues," she explains, creating space for honest professional relationships while maintaining genuine care for team members' growth. This approach has led to an unusual outcome – former employees frequently return to Nailbiter after gaining experience elsewhere, a testament to the strength of her leadership model. Whether you're navigating cultural transitions, building a team across diverse backgrounds, or seeking to balance perfectionism with trust, Amishi's journey offers invaluable insights. Her parting wisdom? "Continue to listen... The less you talk and the more you listen, you grow as a leader." Subscribe now to hear more transformative leadership stories that will inspire your own professional journey.

    49 min

  5. 07/04/2025

    Life and Leadership - Nathaniel Noertker

    Send us a text Nathaniel Noertker shares his leadership journey from rural Ohio to corporate executive, explaining how difficult leaders, faith, and mentorship shaped his approach to guiding teams and making decisions. • Growing up in rural southwestern Ohio • Attending post-secondary education during high school • Surviving a toxic manager • Learning from a supportive boss who tailored her leadership style to meet his needs • Undergoing executive coaching that identified four growth areas: intentional vocalization, pushing his agenda, embracing the unknown, and creating a personal brand • Prioritizing family over work demands after missing important moments • Using local government meetings as resources to improve presentation skills • Making connections sooner for career advancement opportunities I hope you'll come back for future episodes where I'll be bringing on amazing guests—leaders with grit, stories, and wisdom that can help you on your own path. If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who needs encouragement today.

    59 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Hear from various leaders about their personal journey, challenges and growth areas focused on formative experiences, how their experiences shaped their approach to leadership, and rapid reflections based on lessons learned, biggest failures, and advice to their younger selves.

Information

  • Creator
    Nathaniel Noertker
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Life and Leadership Stories
  • Show Website
    Life and Leadership Stories