Mile High Success Podcast

Nick Elder and Joey Schneider
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business

Success. Influence. Connection. Welcome to the Mile High Success Podcast, hosted by Nick Elder and Joey Schneider. Each episode features engaging conversations with Denver's leading entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and professionals who are making an impact in their industries and communities. Discover the stories behind their success, the leadership lessons they've learned, the challenges they've overcome, and the strategies they use to grow their businesses, build influence, and create lasting relationships. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, business professional, or someone passionate about personal and professional growth, you'll walk away from every episode with practical insights, fresh ideas, and real-world advice you can apply immediately. From leadership and business strategy to innovation, networking, and community impact, the Mile High Success Podcast shines a spotlight on the people helping shape Denver's thriving business community. New episodes released regularly.

  1. 18h ago

    From Surgeon to Entrepreneur: Why Knowing When to Quit Can Lead to Success | Dr. Arlen Meyers

    From Surgeon to Entrepreneur: Why Knowing When to Quit Can Lead to Success | Dr. Arlen Meyers What if the key to success isn't working harder, but knowing when to change direction? In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Dr. Arlen Meyers to talk about career changes, learning from failure, and finding new ways to make a difference. Dr. Meyers spent 40 years at the University of Colorado School of Medicine as a surgeon and professor. Today, he helps doctors, business owners, and innovators turn their ideas into real solutions that can improve healthcare. But his journey wasn't always easy. Dr. Meyers shares how he learned that having a great idea is just the start. Getting that idea into the hands of people who need it takes teamwork, patience, and a willingness to fail. He also challenges a common belief about success. While many people say you should never quit, Dr. Meyers explains why walking away from something that isn't working can be the best choice. Nick and Dr. Meyers explore why everyone needs a backup plan, how to handle big career changes, and why having the right people around you matters. They also discuss the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and why doctors need to think beyond their daily work. Meet Dr. Arlen Meyers Dr. Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA, is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs. He has spent much of his career helping people bring new healthcare ideas to life. Through his work, he connects doctors, entrepreneurs, investors, and others who want to make healthcare better. His goal is simple: Help good ideas reach the people who need them.

  2. 1d ago

    Peaceful Parenting: Understanding Behavior and Building Better Mental Health with Dr. Nancy Buck

    What if the key to better parenting and stronger mental health isn't controlling behavior, but understanding what drives it? In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Dr. Nancy Buck, a developmental psychologist, author, and expert in Choice Theory Psychology. For more than 30 years, Dr. Buck has helped parents, teachers, and families find better ways to understand behavior. Her approach, called Peaceful Parenting, helps adults move away from punishment, threats, and rewards. Instead, she teaches parents how to help children make better choices. Dr. Buck shares how her journey began as a young nursing student when she discovered the work of psychologist Dr. William Glasser. His ideas changed the way she understood human behavior and helped shape her career. During their conversation, Nick and Nancy explore five basic human needs: safety, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. Nancy explains how meeting these needs can help people build and maintain good mental health. She also shares a simple question that can change how parents respond when children misbehave. Instead of asking, "Why did you do that?" try asking, "What do you want that you're trying to get?" This small change can open the door to better communication, stronger relationships, and more peaceful homes. Nick and Nancy also discuss why fun matters at every age, how parents can teach children self-control, and why understanding the purpose behind behavior is so important. Whether you're a parent, teacher, leader, or someone who wants to improve your mental health, this episode offers practical ideas you can use in everyday life. About Dr. Nancy Buck Dr. Nancy Buck is a developmental psychologist, author of five parenting books, and longtime educator in Choice Theory Psychology. She is the founder of Peaceful Parenting, Inc., and has spent decades helping families and educators understand children's needs and behavior. Today, she also focuses on helping people grow good mental health by understanding and meeting their basic human needs. Nancy shares her insights through her website and her Substack newsletter, Growing Good Family and Mental Health, where she publishes new articles every Thursday and Sunday.

  3. 4d ago

    Robots, Relationships & Results: The Future of Business Automation with Bryan Prust

    Robots, Relationships & Results: The Future of Business Automation with Bryan Prust Are robots really taking our jobs, or are they helping us work smarter? In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Bryan Prust, a business development leader at Avidbots, to explore how robots are changing the way businesses work. Bryan has more than 20 years of experience in the equipment industry. His career has taken him from heavy equipment sales in Colorado to helping businesses use robots to clean large buildings. Today, Bryan works with companies that want to use robotic cleaning machines in warehouses, hospitals, schools, and other large spaces. But as Bryan explains, bringing robots into a business isn't as simple as pushing a button. What You'll Learn Nick and Bryan talk about how robots can help businesses save time, lower costs, and make better use of their teams. Bryan explains why robots aren't always replacing workers. Instead, they can take over simple, repeated tasks so employees can focus on other important jobs. They also discuss the true cost of automation and why businesses need to look beyond the price of a machine. From labor savings to fewer accidents, the benefits can go much further than people expect. Bryan shares why some companies struggle when they first bring in robots and why good service, strong partnerships, and realistic expectations are so important. The conversation also explores why the United States has been slower to adopt some robotic technology than other parts of the world. Building a Business That Lasts One of the biggest lessons from Bryan's career is that technology alone doesn't build a great business. People do. Bryan believes that taking care of customers, building strong relationships, and offering a quality product are the keys to long-term success. Whether you're a business owner, sales leader, or simply curious about the future of robotics, this episode offers a fresh look at how technology and people can work together. About Bryan Prust Bryan Prust is an experienced business development and operations leader who works in the robotics and autonomous cleaning industry. He currently works with Avidbots, a Canadian company that develops robotic cleaning machines for businesses. Bryan has spent much of his career helping companies grow through sales, partnerships, and customer relationships. He also earned an Executive MBA from the University of Colorado.

  4. 5d ago

    Building a Business, Knowing When to Sell, and Starting Over | Brenda Steele

    Building a Business, Knowing When to Sell, and Starting Over | Brenda Steele What does it take to build a business from scratch, grow it across 15 states, and then know when it's time to walk away? In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Brenda Steele, a natural food industry leader, business owner, and recording artist with more than 30 years of experience. Brenda shares how she went from working in natural food stores to building Independent Natural Food Brokers, a company that grew to serve brands across the western United States. What started as a way to support her three children while having more control over her time became a successful business with 30 employees and 70 brands. But success came with challenges. After losing three people close to her in a short period, Brenda began to look at her life and business in a new way. She made the difficult choice to sell her company in 2024 and start a new chapter. Today, Brenda is helping smaller food brands and independent retailers through Daily Bread Consulting and Independent Natural Food Distribution. She's also making time for something she's loved since childhood: writing and recording music. Nick and Brenda discuss what helped her business grow, why building a great team matters, and what business owners should think about before trying to land major retail accounts. Brenda also shares valuable advice for food entrepreneurs about starting small, understanding profit margins, and growing at a pace their business can support. This conversation is about much more than business. It's about hard work, family, loss, change, and finding joy in what comes next. About Brenda Steele Brenda Steele has spent more than 30 years working in the natural food industry. She founded Independent Natural Food Brokers in 2008 and grew the company into a brokerage serving 15 states before selling it in 2024. Today, she works with emerging food brands and independent retailers through Daily Bread Consulting and Independent Natural Food Distribution. Brenda is also a lifelong musician and songwriter who has returned to recording and releasing her music.

  5. 6d ago

    Building Winning Teams and Tackling the Risks of AI with Craig Patterson

    What makes a great leader? And how can businesses stay safe as AI changes the way we work? In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Craig Patterson, Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Marketing at Exabeam. Craig shares how he went from planning to become a lawyer to building a successful career in technology sales and leadership. With more than 20 years of experience, he has learned that great results start with great people. Nick and Craig talk about what it takes to build a strong team culture. Craig explains why clear goals, trust, accountability, and celebrating small wins can make a big difference. He also shares why good leaders must be ready to learn and change as their businesses grow. The conversation then turns to one of today's biggest business challenges: artificial intelligence. Craig explains how AI can help companies work faster, but also create new risks. He shares an amazing story about how his company discovered that a new employee had used AI to fake their identity during the hiring process. They also discuss how businesses can protect private data, keep people in control of AI tools, and spot warning signs before serious problems happen. Craig closes with advice for anyone looking to grow as a leader. He explains why building your personal brand, finding great mentors, and learning from others can help shape your future.

  6. Nov 3

    From NASA to Nursing at 50: Finding Purpose Through Compassion | Lora Flinn

    From NASA to Nursing at 50: Finding Purpose Through Compassion | Lora Flinn What if your next big chapter started at age 50? In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder talks with Lora Flinn, a former NASA employee who made a bold career change and became a nurse at age 50. Lora spent nearly 20 years working at NASA. She was part of mission control and helped create a video used to introduce the International Space Station to Mikhail Gorbachev. But after years in the space program, she felt ready for something new. She went back to school, earned her nursing degree, and began a new career helping others. Her path took her from the operating room to the emergency room and then into travel nursing and hospice care. Along the way, she learned that some of life's greatest rewards come from helping people when they need it most. Lora shares why it's never too late to start over, how being honest builds trust, and what makes a great leader. She also talks about the special bonds she forms with patients and families during their final days together. For Lora, success isn't about a job title or how much money you make. It's about making a real difference in someone's life. As she looks ahead to retirement and trips to national parks with her grandchildren, Lora reminds us that life is full of new chapters. Whether you're thinking about a career change, leading a team, or looking for more meaning in your work, Lora's story has something for you.

  7. Oct 31

    Melissa Aarskaug: Why Setbacks, Career Changes & Human Connection Lead to Success

    In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Melissa Aarskaug, founder of Executive Connect, to talk about leadership, career change, and the power of human connection. Melissa has spent more than 20 years working in engineering, finance, gaming, cybersecurity, and business leadership. Her path has been full of twists and turns. She has built a successful career, faced hard times, and even experienced homelessness. Through it all, she learned that every challenge can teach us something new. Melissa shares why changing careers does not mean starting over. Every job, mistake, and life lesson helps us grow into who we are today. Nick and Melissa also talk about how leaders can solve the right problems instead of just staying busy. Melissa shares her simple "See It, Solve It, Move It" approach to helping businesses move forward. They also explore why trust, kindness, and empathy are so important as AI and technology become a bigger part of our lives. Melissa reminds us that success is not just about money or job titles. It's about doing work that matters, building real relationships, and staying true to who you are. Whether you're starting a new career, leading a team, or looking for your next chapter, this conversation is full of lessons you can use in your own life.

  8. Oct 30

    Leadership That Lasts: Juana Bordas on Building Community, Inspiring Others & Leaving a Legacy

    Leadership That Lasts: Juana Bordas on Building Community, Inspiring Others & Leaving a Legacy What makes someone a great leader? Is it their job title, their success, or the lives they change along the way? In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Juana Bordas, also known as Tia Juana, to talk about what it means to lead with heart, help others grow, and build strong communities. Juana has spent decades helping people become better leaders. Her story began when she came to America from Nicaragua as a young child. She became the first in her family to attend college and later joined the Peace Corps. These early years helped shape her love for service, culture, and leadership. Juana shares why great leaders don't just think about today. They think about the people who will come after them. She explains how generosity, kindness, and strong relationships can help teams and communities grow. Nick and Juana also talk about the power of mentorship, why young leaders need patience, and how people from different backgrounds can learn from each other. You'll hear why leadership is not about having the biggest title or making the most money. It's about helping people see what they can become. Juana also shares lessons from her own life, including why she wishes she had spent more time enjoying the journey and why it's so important to make time for family. Whether you lead a business, work with a team, or simply want to make a difference, this conversation offers ideas you can use in your own life.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Success. Influence. Connection. Welcome to the Mile High Success Podcast, hosted by Nick Elder and Joey Schneider. Each episode features engaging conversations with Denver's leading entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and professionals who are making an impact in their industries and communities. Discover the stories behind their success, the leadership lessons they've learned, the challenges they've overcome, and the strategies they use to grow their businesses, build influence, and create lasting relationships. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, business professional, or someone passionate about personal and professional growth, you'll walk away from every episode with practical insights, fresh ideas, and real-world advice you can apply immediately. From leadership and business strategy to innovation, networking, and community impact, the Mile High Success Podcast shines a spotlight on the people helping shape Denver's thriving business community. New episodes released regularly.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Elder and Joey Schneider
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Mile High Success Podcast