Cleared For Takeoff

clearedfortakeoff
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Cleared for Takeoff is a new podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators who want to succeed in business and lead with impact. Hosted by entrepreneur Charles Eide, Founder and CEO of EideCom, the show spotlights bold conversations with influential thought leaders, trailblazers, and visionaries redefining what’s possible.Each episode explores the mindsets, strategies, and stories of success that shift perspective and spark purposeful action. Whether you’re an entrepreneur building your business, a leader driving change, or an innovator shaping the future, this podcast gives you the clarity, courage, and momentum to rise to the occasion.

  1. The “God Cell” That Repairs Your Body (And Why You’re Losing It) | Seth Berge

    2D AGO

    The “God Cell” That Repairs Your Body (And Why You’re Losing It) | Seth Berge

    Stem cells get called “God cells” for a reason—and in this episode, Seth Berge makes the science understandable. Seth explains what stem cells are (your body’s repair system), why healing slows down as we age, and how regenerative therapies can support recovery by addressing the root cause instead of just masking pain. Charles and Seth dig into the real-world use cases people care about most: joint pain, cartilage degeneration, shoulder tears, and avoiding major surgeries like knee replacements. They also tackle the ethical question head-on. Seth walks through how modern regenerative products are sourced from screened, donated birthing tissue (most commonly the umbilical cord’s Wharton’s Jelly), why it’s considered immunoprivileged, and how the U.S. processing and sterility standards differ from the “go overseas” era many people remember. Plus, Seth opens up the business side: how he built a nationwide concierge model, why dinner seminars still convert, and what he’d tell any high-performing salesperson trying to find the right industry and mentor.   In this episode you'll learn: Stem cells = your body’s repair system. They’re “undifferentiated” cells that can communicate with your body and support tissue repair. Aging reduces both quantity and quality. As you get older, you have fewer stem cells—and the ones you have aren’t as effective. Wharton’s Jelly is the “gold” in the umbilical cord. Many commercial regenerative products focus on the umbilical cord’s Wharton’s Jelly, which contains valuable regenerative components. Ethics clarified: Modern sourcing is not fetal/embryonic—it’s donated birthing tissue from healthy, screened mothers with strict collection and processing standards. Local injection vs. IV: Local injections target a specific injury/joint; IV therapy is used more systemically for inflammation, organ health, and some people’s longevity protocols. The goal is root-cause healing, not temporary relief. Seth contrasts regenerative therapy with symptom-focused options like cortisone shots. Regenerative medicine’s “next frontier” may be organ regeneration. Seth references the direction of research and the potential for lab-grown organs using a person’s own cells. Business insight: Seth scaled access and education with a nationwide provider network and “one-to-many” dinner seminar marketing—then expanded into distribution for clinics.   Meet Seth Berge: Seth Berge is a regenerative medicine educator and stem cell industry leader with nearly a decade of experience helping people understand and access modern regenerative therapies. He’s the founder of Regenerative Revival, a direct-to-consumer concierge model that coordinates treatments nationwide, and he also works with medical providers through his distribution and manufacturing network—helping clinics source products, communicate clearly with patients, and build sustainable regenerative medicine programs. Seth is known for making complex science approachable, with a mission centered on education, access, and helping people find alternatives to surgery and long-term pain management.

    1h 8m
  2. Jason DeRusha: Trust, Truth, and the Algorithm That’s Rewiring Our Minds

    FEB 9

    Jason DeRusha: Trust, Truth, and the Algorithm That’s Rewiring Our Minds

    In this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Charles Eide sits down with Jason DeRusha — a longtime journalist turned talk radio host and digital creator — to unpack what’s happening to trust, truth, and storytelling in modern media. Jason shares what’s changed inside newsrooms over the last 20+ years, why local news often feels less ideological than national outlets, and how bias shows up most in which stories get covered (and which ones never get pitched at all). They dig into the algorithm-driven reality of the digital era: echo chambers, tribalism, and the uncomfortable truth that many people think they’re informed because they scroll headlines. The conversation also shifts into leadership and personal growth: why it’s a strength to be challenged, how to balance entertainment with meaningful conversation, and the moment Jason realized he was “treading water” and needed a new challenge — even if it meant leaving a job he loved. They close with what legacy really means: being a good friend, a good father, and someone who brought joy while modeling that people with different opinions can still talk and respect each other. In this episode you'll explore:  The algorithm is in charge now Big media and local media aren’t the same game.  Media bias shows up most in story selection People crave being right  Curiosity is a competitive advantage  Growth sometimes means leaving comfort.  The best leaders invite challenge — real strength is staying open when someone on your team proves you wrong Meet Jason: Jason DeRusha is a media veteran with more than two decades of experience in journalism and storytelling. Known for his sharp curiosity and distinct voice, Jason spent years in local television news before making a major leap into talk radio and digital content. Today, he blends facts, nuance, and humor to spark smarter conversations — while using his platform to highlight community, local businesses, and the ideas that bring people together (even when they disagree).

    1h 21m
  3. From the Streets to Apple: How Curiosity, Trust, and One Idea Built a $40M Deal | Jay Strommen

    FEB 2

    From the Streets to Apple: How Curiosity, Trust, and One Idea Built a $40M Deal | Jay Strommen

    How do you go from survival mode at 15… to building a company that supports global product launches in 52 countries? In this powerful conversation, Charles Eide interviews Jay Strommen, the “man behind the curtain” who helped Apple scale its iconic retail experiences—starting with one table, one bold yes, and one life-altering moment: Steve Jobs walked up, inspected the build, and said, “It’s good.” But this episode isn’t just about brand-name wins. Jay opens up about the childhood trauma that fueled his drive, the internal “not good enough” story that followed him even through massive success, and the personal transformation that changed how he leads today. You’ll hear what he learned from building relationships with leaders at brands like Disney, Nike, and Nordstrom—and why the best leaders don’t lead with numbers… They lead with intention. In this episode you'll learn: Curiosity is a leadership superpower. Jay’s “be curious” philosophy becomes the bridge to trust, influence, and better decision-making. Empathy isn’t fixing—it's sitting with someone. He explains compassion as the ability to make people feel seen without trying to solve them. Relationships beat transactions. Jay built long-term trust before he “had anything to sell”—and that trust became his unfair advantage. The real flex is reliability. “We say yes when others say no” only works if your team consistently delivers under pressure. Success won’t heal self-worth. Even at the peak—big revenue, big projects—Jay realized achievement doesn’t automatically create peace. Belonging scales performance. The strongest cultures “don’t make it personal”—they rally around solving the problem together. Lead with intention, not numbers. Numbers matter, but when you start with a number, people become transactional. Start with values and support, and the number follows. About Jay Strommen: Jay Strommen is a business builder and relationship-driven leader known for helping iconic brands bring retail experiences to life at massive scale. He played a key role in transforming PD In-store from a legacy printing company into a global execution partner supporting high-stakes product launches, complex deployments, and “impossible” timelines—earning trust with teams inside Apple and beyond. Jay’s story is defined by contrast: early hardship and survival, followed by building a high-growth company—while learning that external success doesn’t automatically create internal peace. Today, he speaks openly about leadership, intention, curiosity, and the responsibility leaders have to create a true sense of belonging for the people they serve.

    1h 26m
  4. The Leadership Mistake That Quietly Destroys Culture

    JAN 25

    The Leadership Mistake That Quietly Destroys Culture

    You don’t work for a company—you work for a person. And whether people stay, grow, and give discretionary effort often comes down to one thing: the shadow their leader casts. In this conversation, Charles Eide welcomes David Orbuch, a seasoned executive and longtime mentor, to break down the concept of a “leadership shadow”—the invisible force created by what leaders say, do, prioritize, measure, and permit. David explains why the strength of that shadow determines the strength of the business, and why culture isn’t soft—it’s the performance engine. From handwritten notes that change careers to meeting openers that turn tense budget conversations into human collaboration, David offers practical tools leaders can use immediately. They also tackle the hard call every organization faces: what to do with high performers who get results but leave damage behind—and why allowing toxic behavior quietly reshapes your culture. If you’re building a team, scaling a company, or simply trying to lead with more intention, this episode is a masterclass in how to show up—especially when pressure hits. What you'll learn in this episode: Your shadow determines your results.  The 5 parts of a leadership shadow: what you say, what you do, what you prioritize, what you measure, and what you permit. Values only matter when they’re used.  Energy beats time.  Better meetings start with humans.  Accountability is proactive, not blame-based.  High performers who aren’t kind are culture killers. Build your shadow with four practices: passion, full engagement (work/home/community), accountability, and integrity (walk the talk). Mentors and peer groups accelerate leadership growth.  Meet David Orbuch: David Orbuch is a seasoned executive, leadership mentor, and culture strategist with decades of experience leading complex organizations across healthcare, government, and professional services. A former hospital president and senior public-sector leader, David has spent his career working at the intersection of performance, accountability, and culture—particularly in high-pressure environments where leadership decisions carry real human impact. He is widely known for his work on leadership shadow—the idea that leaders shape culture through what they say, do, prioritize, measure, and permit—and for helping executives build healthy, high-performing organizations rooted in belonging, integrity, and accountability. David is also a trusted advisor and facilitator for peer leadership groups, where he mentors CEOs and senior leaders on decision-making, culture, and long-term leadership legacy. Above all, David believes that culture drives performance, and that great leadership is revealed not during the highlight reel moments—but in how leaders show up when the pressure is on.

    1h 18m
  5. Neal Foard: Why Great Leaders Tell Better Stories (And How to Practice It)

    JAN 18

    Neal Foard: Why Great Leaders Tell Better Stories (And How to Practice It)

    We live in the age of instant discoverability — and that means your story is already out there. The question is: are you shaping it, or letting it shape you? In this conversation, Neal Foard (master storyteller and creator of Storyfire) joins Charles Eide to unpack what storytelling really does in business: it humanizes you, builds trust, creates belief, and sets the tone for culture — whether you’re a CEO, a new manager, or a frontline team member. Neal shares unforgettable examples (from Nike’s Michael Jordan ads to Dan Campbell’s “kneecap” speech), plus a simple framework: start with the moral, then build the story backwards. They also dig into why bullet points don’t create emotional connection, how to rehearse stories without sounding scripted, and how leaders can use storytelling to recognize their people in a way that actually changes behavior. If you’ve ever struggled with being visible online, speaking to a team, or making your message land — this episode is a playbook. About Neal: Neal Foard is a world-renowned master storyteller, brand strategist, and communications coach who helps leaders and organizations craft stories that build trust, culture, and momentum. With decades of experience in advertising and marketing, Neal has distilled the principles of powerful storytelling into practical frameworks anyone can use — from executives to emerging leaders. He’s the creator of Storyfire, a bite-sized storytelling course built from 30 years of real-world pitching, performance, and persuasion. Find Neal online at nealfoard.com and explore his storytelling course at storyfire.net.   Episode Key Takeaways: Your story exists whether you tell it or not. In a world of LinkedIn, Google, and YouTube, people will discover something — so curate what they find. Stories create trust faster than credentials. A great story signals you’re human, relatable, and worth following — even if you’re “the best.” Leaders cast a shadow. The stories you tell become culture: what you celebrate, what you notice, and what you reinforce. Start with the moral. Work backwards from the lesson you want people to remember, then build the narrative to deliver it. Rehearsal is the cheat code. The best “spontaneous” storytellers are rehearsed — practice shakes the bubbles out and builds confidence. Flavor beats fluff. Add color and personality without slowing the pace (the right details make a story stick). Recognition is a leadership superpower. Tell stories about your team’s wins — especially moments they didn’t think anyone noticed. You don’t need to be the hero. Make the story “we,” not “me” — servant leadership shows up in what you choose to spotlight.

    1h 34m
  6. “A 1% Chance”: Amberly Lago on Resilience, Chronic Pain, and Choosing Joy Through the Journey

    JAN 11

    “A 1% Chance”: Amberly Lago on Resilience, Chronic Pain, and Choosing Joy Through the Journey

    Amberly Lago’s story will stop you in your tracks — and then it’ll light a fire in you. After a devastating motorcycle accident left her leg “crumbled into pieces,” doctors told Amberly an amputation was likely and her life would never be the same. What followed was 34 surgeries, years of recovery, and a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), one of the most painful chronic conditions in existence. But this isn’t just a story about surviving trauma — it’s about transforming it. In this conversation, Amberly and Charles unpack what resilience really looks like when life doesn’t “bounce back,” but instead demands you move forward. They talk about perspective shifts, living with chronic pain, surrendering pride and learning to ask for help, overcoming addiction, navigating imposter syndrome, and why progress often comes down to one small step taken consistently. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, burned out, or on the edge of giving up — this episode is your reminder: your breakthrough might be hiding in your breaking point What we cover in this episode:  Resilience isn’t bouncing back — it’s bouncing forward. Sometimes the goal isn’t returning to your old life, it’s building a new one. Perspective is a daily practice. Gratitude can be the fastest way to shift from what’s missing to what’s possible. Pain demands to be heard — and healing starts with honesty. “We heal what we reveal” and growth often requires radical self-awareness. Small steps beat big intimidation. Whether it’s healing, business, or launching something new — focus on one action in the right direction. You don’t have to do hard things alone. Community, coaching, and asking for help aren’t weaknesses — they’re strengths. Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear at higher levels. The key is learning to talk to yourself instead of listening to the inner critic. Joy is intentional. “Joy spotting,” movement, environment shifts, and connection can help you reclaim joy even in grief and pain. About Amberly Lago: Amberly Lago is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and resilience coach known for helping people overcome adversity and unlock what’s possible — even when life doesn’t go as planned. After a life-threatening motorcycle accident and 34 surgeries, Amberly was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and had to reinvent everything she thought she knew about strength, healing, and purpose. She’s the author of True Grit and Grace and Joy Through the Journey, and she speaks to audiences around the world on resilience, mindset, leadership, and choosing joy through life’s hardest seasons.

    1h 14m
  7. Betting on Yourself: Craig Leipold on Risk, Acquisitions, and Leading Through Pressure

    JAN 4

    Betting on Yourself: Craig Leipold on Risk, Acquisitions, and Leading Through Pressure

    Most interviews with Craig Leipold center on hockey. This one goes deeper — into the decisions, risks, and leadership lessons that shaped him long before the spotlight. Craig sits down with Charles Eide to walk through the entrepreneurial path that started with a leap from Kimberly-Clark into a “new-at-the-time” telemarketing business, scaling to 125 salespeople and selling the company to American Express in just three years. He shares why he intentionally stepped away afterward to travel, reflect, and get clarity — and how that headspace led him to his next chapter: acquiring a legacy manufacturing company (Rainfair) and learning how to operate a complex business with unions, overhead, supply chain shifts, and real financial discipline. From hiring the right finance leader, to building culture, to making fast, tough people decisions — Craig breaks down what leadership looks like when it’s both a private business and the most public business you can run. And yes, he still wants to win the Stanley Cup — because in his words, there’s nothing harder.   What to expect from this episode: Betting on yourself isn’t about being “skilled” — it’s about being committed. Time away can be a competitive advantage. Cash-flow businesses can scale fast — if you execute and hire well. If finance isn’t your strength, don’t pretend it is. Culture is built on dignity and energy. When a leader is wrong for the role, act fast.. The best leaders create opportunities for others. Customer service still wins — even at the highest level. Legacy > titles. Learn more about Craig Leipold: Craig Leipold is a lifelong entrepreneur, investor, and sports executive known for building businesses, acquiring legacy companies, and leading high-pressure organizations in the public eye. He is the owner of the Minnesota Wild and has played a key role in shaping the growth of professional hockey in the U.S., including previously owning the Nashville Predators. Beyond sports, Craig’s entrepreneurial career spans company building, acquisitions, and long-term investments — with a leadership philosophy rooted in culture, accountability, and treating people the right way. Above all, he’s proudest of the family legacy he’s building with his wife and five sons.

    1h 6m
  8. Ryan Estis: Human-Centered Leadership, Model-Coach-Care, and Why Growth Is Always Human

    12/28/2025

    Ryan Estis: Human-Centered Leadership, Model-Coach-Care, and Why Growth Is Always Human

    Traditional leadership focused on managing results. Ryan Estis argues the future belongs to leaders who inspire contribution. In this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Ryan joins host Charles Eide to unpack what human-centered leadership really means, why work dissatisfaction and burnout are rising, and how leaders can create clarity, trust, and sustainable performance. They dig into Satya Nadella’s Model-Coach-Care framework, the power of a 15-minute weekly coaching conversation, and why leadership has to start “inside out” with self-awareness, humility, and emotional regulation. They also explore the role AI can play as a coaching tool (and where leaders can get trapped by over-reliance), why in-person connection is becoming even more valuable, and Ryan’s new book Prepare for Impact, built around driving growth and serving others through human-centered leadership. If you lead people, manage a team, or want to become the kind of leader others choose to follow, this one will shift your approach. In this episode, you'll explore: Leadership is not a job, it’s a responsibility: earning followership through vision, service, and humility. Human-centered leadership = inspiring contribution, not just managing outcomes. Model-Coach-Care (Satya Nadella): model the behavior, coach through feedback, and care by investing in people. Clarity drives alignment: many employees still don’t have clearly defined expectations, and leaders must communicate priorities consistently. One “weekly vitamin” coaching conversation (15 minutes) can be a major lever for performance and engagement. Self-awareness is the foundation: reflection, coaching, and feedback loops help leaders see how they impact others. Trust and psychological safety enable honest 360 feedback and stronger teams. Lasting change requires a plan: pause, regulate, and respond intentionally instead of reacting emotionally. AI can accelerate coaching and development, but the competitive advantage remains human connection and EQ. Companies don’t grow unless people do—leadership development is an investment, not an optional perk.

    59 min
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About

Cleared for Takeoff is a new podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators who want to succeed in business and lead with impact. Hosted by entrepreneur Charles Eide, Founder and CEO of EideCom, the show spotlights bold conversations with influential thought leaders, trailblazers, and visionaries redefining what’s possible.Each episode explores the mindsets, strategies, and stories of success that shift perspective and spark purposeful action. Whether you’re an entrepreneur building your business, a leader driving change, or an innovator shaping the future, this podcast gives you the clarity, courage, and momentum to rise to the occasion.

Information

  • Creator
    clearedfortakeoff
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Cleared For Takeoff