Extraordinary Stories

Extraordinary Collaborative

Conversations with Extraordinary people about the moments that changed how they think, lead, and live.

  1. Nicole Zeno: "Just Three More Miles"

    18h ago

    Nicole Zeno: "Just Three More Miles"

    Nicole Zeno has spent much of her life refusing to fit into a single box. Entrepreneur, fractional executive, podcaster, ultra-marathon runner, and global traveler, she built a life around movement, curiosity, and possibility. But beneath the adventure was a deeper question: How do you build a life that feels fully your own instead of one designed by someone else's expectations? In this conversation, Nicole reflects on the moments that forced her to rethink everything. A sudden blood clot transformed her from a healthy endurance athlete into someone who no longer trusted her own body. The experience challenged her identity, her confidence, and even her intuition. What followed was a years-long journey of rebuilding trust in herself, learning to listen to her body, and redefining success on her own terms. Along the way, Nicole shares why solo travel taught her more about entrepreneurship than most business books, why intuition is an underrated leadership skill, and why so many people spend their lives trying to become a mythical "unicorn" instead of embracing who they already are. Her perspective is a reminder that growth often happens in uncomfortable places and that the ability to do hard things is a skill anyone can cultivate. At its core, this is a conversation about identity. About letting go of who you used to be, trusting yourself enough to evolve, and realizing that sometimes the next chapter begins when you finally stop trying to prove something and start listening to what you've known all along. What You'll Learn• Why solo travel can accelerate personal and professional growth • The surprising connection between ultra-marathons and entrepreneurship • How to rebuild trust in yourself after a major setback • Why intuition may be one of the most valuable leadership skills • Nicole's "Unicorn Conundrum" and the danger of trying to fit in • How community and independence can coexist • The importance of listening to your body instead of fighting it • Why saying "yes" creates opportunities—and when it's time to start saying "no" • Lessons from navigating identity shifts in your 30s • A practical exercise for understanding your true values and motivations About Nicole ZenoNicole Zeno is a fractional executive, entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and host of the podcast What the Frac? She works alongside startups and growing companies to help them think strategically about growth, leadership, and execution while bringing a unique perspective shaped by entrepreneurship, global travel, and a lifelong curiosity about human potential. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    54 min
  2. Hugh Lytle: "Living With Purpose in a Time of Division"

    2d ago

    Hugh Lytle: "Living With Purpose in a Time of Division"

    For most of his life, Hugh Lytle has been drawn toward leadership because he felt compelled to step into difficult situations and help move people forward. From quarterbacking championship football teams in Indiana to building healthcare companies in Arizona, his story is one of challenging systems, questioning assumptions, and following a path that rarely fit neatly inside established institutions. In this conversation with Forbes Shannon and Aaron Bare, Hugh reflects on the moments that shaped him: growing up with a young single father, chasing a football dream that ended with injury, learning every role inside the businesses he helped build, and ultimately deciding to run for Governor of Arizona as an independent candidate. Along the way, he shares what he learned about resilience, leadership, and the importance of staying true to your own convictions even when the crowd is moving in another direction. At its core, this episode isn't really about politics. It's about purpose. Hugh explores why so many people feel disconnected from traditional institutions, why leadership requires understanding different perspectives, and why meaningful progress often comes from those willing to stand between competing ideas rather than fully inside one camp. At a time when technology, culture, and society are changing faster than ever, this conversation asks a timeless question: What happens when ordinary people decide to take responsibility for the future they want to help create? What You'll Learn• Why Hugh believes leadership begins with understanding every role on the team • How a career-ending football injury redirected his life toward entrepreneurship • The connection between sports, business, and public service • Why purpose matters more than status or title • Lessons from building companies in highly complex industries • How independent thinking shapes decision-making and leadership • Why curiosity and optimism remain competitive advantages • Hugh's perspective on technology, AI, and the future of Arizona • What young professionals should focus on when building a meaningful career • How to find work that aligns with your values and strengths About Hugh LytleHugh Lytle is a healthcare entrepreneur, business leader, and Arizona gubernatorial candidate. Over the course of his career, he has built and led organizations focused on improving healthcare outcomes while navigating some of the most complex challenges in the industry. His perspective combines entrepreneurship, public policy, and a lifelong commitment to service and leadership. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    42 min
  3. Ben Lyon: "Why the Future of Learning Looks More Like YouTube"

    3d ago

    Ben Lyon: "Why the Future of Learning Looks More Like YouTube"

    Ben Lyon spent years helping large organizations navigate change, only to run into the same problem over and over again: nobody was actually learning from corporate training. The videos were watched on mute, the quizzes were clicked through, and the information rarely stuck. Instead of accepting that reality, Ben became curious about why people willingly spend hours learning on YouTube while avoiding workplace learning whenever possible. That question led him to build a new approach from the ground up. In this conversation, Ben shares how frustration became innovation. Drawing from his background in consulting, he explains why most corporate education is designed for compliance rather than engagement and why the next generation of workers may reject outdated learning experiences entirely. Along the way, the discussion expands into attention spans, technology, AI, and the challenge of helping people learn in a world filled with constant distraction. But this episode becomes about much more than workplace training. Ben reflects on raising children in the digital age, the importance of boredom, the value of real-world community, and the tension between living as if today matters while also investing in a future that may stretch decades ahead. His perspective offers a thoughtful reminder that learning is ultimately about becoming more human, not simply consuming more information. At a time when algorithms compete for every second of our attention, this conversation asks a deeper question: How do we stay curious, present, and connected to each other while the world keeps accelerating? What You'll Learn • Why most corporate learning fails to create meaningful behavior change • How YouTube became the world's most effective learning platform • The relationship between attention, engagement, and retention • Why teaching others is one of the fastest ways to learn • The importance of boredom, reflection, and uninterrupted thinking • How technology is reshaping the way children and adults absorb information • Why curiosity matters more than certainty in a rapidly changing world • Lessons on community, friendship, and staying connected in a digital age • How to balance urgency in the present with patience for the long term • Why open dialogue and genuine conversation are essential for a healthy society About Ben Lyon Ben Lyon is the co-founder of Molt, a learning company focused on reimagining how organizations educate people at scale. After years working in consulting and organizational transformation, he became fascinated by the gap between how people naturally learn and how companies traditionally train their employees. His work explores the intersection of learning, technology, engagement, and human behavior. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    38 min
  4. Bree Aesie: "The Stories We Remember Are the Ones That Change Us"

    4d ago

    Bree Aesie: "The Stories We Remember Are the Ones That Change Us"

    Bree Aesie didn’t set out to build a life in Barcelona. A backpacking trip after university became a marriage, a family, and a career built around helping people tell better stories. Along the way, she discovered something simple but profound: the stories that stay with us are rarely about achievement. They’re about transformation. In this conversation, Bree shares how years of interviewing people for her podcast Into the Story changed the way she understands communication, leadership, and human connection. From a Canadian mountaineer rescuing climbers on Everest to a quiet moment with her seven-year-old son, she explains why the most powerful stories often emerge from the smallest moments. The discussion moves beyond storytelling techniques into something deeper: how we balance ambition with presence. Bree reflects on raising a family, building a business, losing her father, and learning that life is ultimately a collection of moments rather than milestones. Her perspective challenges the belief that fulfillment is always waiting somewhere in the future. This episode is a reminder that extraordinary lives are rarely built through dramatic reinventions. More often, they are shaped by the choices, conversations, and moments we decide are worth paying attention to. What You’ll Learn • Why the best stories are about human transformation, not accomplishments • How to recognize “story-worthy” moments in everyday life • The Homework for Life practice for capturing meaningful experiences • Why vulnerability creates connection more effectively than expertise • Lessons from living abroad and building a life far from home • How parents, entrepreneurs, and leaders can stay present during constant transitions • What Bree learned from spending a year alongside her dying father • Why ambition and presence do not have to be in conflict • How to protect your creativity in an age increasingly shaped by AI • A simple mental model for making difficult challenges feel easier About Bree Aesie Bree Aesie is a communication and storytelling expert based in Barcelona. She helps organizations, leaders, and teams use narrative to communicate more effectively across cultures and languages. She is also the host of Into the Story, a podcast with more than two million downloads focused on the stories that shape who we become. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    40 min
  5. Aashay Arora: "No Shortcuts, Just Hard Work"

    6d ago

    Aashay Arora: "No Shortcuts, Just Hard Work"

    Aashay Arora didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. He set out to solve a problem. As a civil engineer and material scientist, he was fascinated by the challenge of making infrastructure last longer. What began as university research into cracking concrete eventually became EnKoat, a company developing advanced materials designed to protect roads, buildings, and critical infrastructure from extreme heat and environmental stress. Along the way, Aashay found himself navigating a very different challenge: transforming from researcher to founder. In this conversation, Aashay reflects on the moment he realized that technical expertise alone wasn’t enough. Building a company required learning how to talk to customers, understand human behavior, and step far outside his comfort zone. Through customer discovery programs, countless conversations, and years of persistence, he learned that innovation only matters if people can understand its value. What emerges is a deeper lesson about curiosity, relationships, and growth. Aashay shares how meeting people from different backgrounds helped him better understand both his business and himself. Whether discussing entrepreneurship, friendship, mentorship, or personal development, he returns to a simple belief: progress comes from staying open, working hard, and continuously learning from the people around you. At a time when shortcuts are often celebrated, Aashay offers a refreshing reminder that meaningful success is usually built slowly. The companies, relationships, and innovations that last are often the result of patience, consistency, and years of unseen effort. What You’ll Learn • Why customer discovery is really about understanding people • How an engineer became an entrepreneur by learning to communicate • The difference between research that stays on paper and ideas that reach the real world • Why diverse relationships accelerate learning and growth • The role mentorship and friendship play in entrepreneurship • How to handle criticism as useful data instead of personal rejection • Why boring industries often create extraordinary opportunities • The importance of patience when building something meaningful • How curiosity can help you better understand yourself • Why Aashay believes there are no shortcuts to lasting success About Aashay Arora Aashay Arora is the Co-Founder and CTO of EnKoat, an advanced materials company developing innovative coatings and technologies that improve the durability and longevity of infrastructure. With a background in civil engineering and material science, Aashay has spent years translating research into real-world applications while helping build Arizona’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    36 min
  6. LeGrand Crewse: "Trust Your Gut. It Already Knows the Way"

    Jun 11

    LeGrand Crewse: "Trust Your Gut. It Already Knows the Way"

    LeGrand Crewse didn’t set out to build a defense technology company. But after years of entrepreneurship, hard lessons, and watching his younger brother search for a way to make a meaningful impact, he returned to Arizona to co-found Corvus Industries. Today, they're tackling one of the newest challenges in modern warfare: creating miniature missiles designed to stop drones. Yet beneath the technology is a much more human story about purpose, family, and learning how to adapt when the future refuses to follow the plan. In this conversation, LeGrand reflects on the moments that reshaped how he thinks about success. From building businesses that couldn't grow because he refused to let go, to discovering that trust—not control—was the key to scaling, he shares the lessons that only come through experience. Along the way, he opens up about entrepreneurship, imposter syndrome, and why so many of our biggest breakthroughs happen when we're willing to abandon the path we thought we were supposed to follow. What emerges is a deeper conversation about curiosity, critical thinking, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. LeGrand argues that the future is never as predictable as we imagine, and that the people who thrive are the ones willing to stay flexible, challenge their own assumptions, and keep learning. Whether he's talking about startups, AI, relationships, or climbing mountains, the same principle keeps surfacing: growth comes from stepping into the unknown. At a time when algorithms increasingly tell us what to think and how to live, LeGrand offers a refreshing reminder that our greatest advantage remains uniquely human. The ability to think critically, trust our instincts, and choose our own direction may be more valuable today than ever before. What You'll Learn • Why entrepreneurship is ultimately a problem-solving journey • How letting go of control can unlock growth in business and life • The danger of outsourcing critical thinking in the age of AI • Why the future rarely unfolds the way we expect it to • How to distinguish between validation and genuine feedback • The importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge you • Why achievement without alignment often feels empty • How unstructured time fuels creativity, insight, and innovation • What mountains, endurance challenges, and entrepreneurship have in common • Why trusting your gut may be the most underrated skill in modern life About LeGrand Crewse LeGrand Crewse is the co-founder of Corvus Industries, a defense technology company developing miniature missile systems designed to counter emerging drone threats. A lifelong entrepreneur, LeGrand combines a passion for problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovation with a deep belief in adaptability, curiosity, and trusting your instincts when navigating uncertainty. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    45 min
  7. Nick Labinsky: "Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Courageous"

    Jun 10

    Nick Labinsky: "Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Courageous"

    For most people, becoming a CEO means climbing a corporate ladder. For Nick Labinsky, it meant honoring a promise. After joining Premier Research Labs as a young microbiologist, Nick spent sixteen years learning every corner of the business under the mentorship of founder Dr. Robert Marshall. What began as a job became a calling rooted in a company born from tragedy, built around quality, and dedicated to helping people live healthier lives. Along the way, Nick discovered that leadership is less about authority and more about service. From working manual labor as a child to learning the science of formulation and eventually leading the company through its most difficult chapter, he learned that passion often outperforms credentials, wisdom is earned through mistakes, and the best leaders never stop being students. His greatest test came when he was forced to make painful decisions that affected people's livelihoods while carrying the weight of protecting the future of the organization. This conversation explores the intersection of science, leadership, faith, and personal growth. Nick shares how meditation transformed the way he responded to stress, how mentorship shaped his approach to leadership, and why asking for help may be one of the most courageous things a person can do. At its core, this is a story about learning to serve others without losing yourself in the process. At a time when many leaders feel pressure to have all the answers, Nick offers a different model: stay curious, stay humble, invest in people, and remember that extraordinary results are often built through thousands of small acts of care, consistency, and courage. What You'll Learn• Why passion often outperforms credentials over the long run • The difference between knowledge and wisdom—and how both are earned • How mentorship can shape a career and a life • Lessons in servant leadership from the laboratory to the boardroom • How meditation helped Nick navigate stress, uncertainty, and leadership challenges • Why investing in people is one of the strongest business strategies available • The role mistakes play in personal and professional growth • Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness About Nick Labinsky Nick Labinsky is the CEO of Premier Research Labs, a nutrition and wellness company dedicated to quality-driven innovation. Beginning his career as a microbiologist, he worked through nearly every role in the organization before becoming CEO, blending scientific rigor, servant leadership, and a deep commitment to helping practitioners and patients improve their lives. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    36 min
  8. Dave Walzer: "Get Over Yourself"

    Jun 9

    Dave Walzer: "Get Over Yourself"

    Dave Walzer spent much of his life believing the world was something to defend against. Growing up around scarcity, distrust, and survival instincts, he learned to keep people at arm's length. Today, he's known as one of Arizona's most connected community builders, bringing thousands of people together through events designed to foster genuine relationships. But that transformation didn't happen overnight. In this conversation, Dave shares the unexpected moments that changed the direction of his life: answering a knock at the door he normally would have ignored, moving across the country despite family tensions, rebuilding his faith, and confronting the beliefs that kept him stuck in a constant state of defense. What began as networking became something much deeper—a lesson in trust, openness, and human connection. Along the way, Dave discovered that many of the stories he inherited about people, success, and scarcity simply weren't true. As he embraced abundance over competition and relationships over transactions, he found that business opportunities became a byproduct rather than the goal. The result was a life built around community, service, and authentic connection. This episode is a reminder that extraordinary lives are often built by unlearning old programming. Sometimes growth begins with a simple decision to become curious instead of guarded, open instead of closed, and willing to believe that people may have more to teach us than we first realize. What You'll Learn • Why scarcity thinking can quietly shape every relationship in your life • How one unexpected conversation changed Dave's entire trajectory • The difference between transactional networking and genuine connection • Why abundance creates more opportunity than competition • Lessons Dave learned from faith, service, and community building • How to identify and unlearn limiting beliefs from childhood • The role gratitude plays in personal transformation • Why "every person has value" is more than just a nice idea • A practical mindset for building stronger personal and professional relationships • What Dave means when he says, "Get over yourself" About Dave Walzer Dave Walzer is the founder of Wicked Awesome Happy Hour and a respected community builder known for connecting entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders across Arizona and beyond. Through his events and growing international community, he helps people build meaningful relationships rooted in authenticity, generosity, and abundance. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    34 min
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Conversations with Extraordinary people about the moments that changed how they think, lead, and live.

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  • Creator
    Extraordinary Collaborative
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
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    © 2026 Extraordinary Collaborative
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    Extraordinary Stories