Limitless Leadership Lounge

StoryTrust Media

A tri-generational conversation for emerging leaders.

  1. Do You Deserve to Be Followed? The 8 Cs Every Leader Needs Right Now

    6D AGO

    Do You Deserve to Be Followed? The 8 Cs Every Leader Needs Right Now

    What does it actually take to earn the trust and loyalty of the people you lead? This week, Jon Goehring and Coach Jim Johnson break down the eight Cs of leadership, a powerful framework every new and emerging leader needs to know to become someone worth following. Jon and Coach open with a compelling challenge: if you were just promoted, why should anyone follow you? They walk through each of the eight Cs in depth, showing how these principles work together to build the kind of leadership presence that inspires genuine commitment from teams. From the foundation of character and the transformative power of genuinely caring about your people, to the discipline of competence and the superpower of staying curious, this episode gives listeners concrete, actionable habits they can apply immediately. You will learn why becoming the Chief Question Asker on your team is one of the most underrated leadership moves you can make. Jon and Coach also unpack why clarity is kindness in leadership, what confident vision looks like without crossing into arrogance, and how consistently challenging your team to high standards is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. The episode closes with a powerful case for consistency as the bookend to character, and why being predictable as a leader is not a weakness but a trust builder. Whether you are brand new to leading a team or looking to sharpen the habits that will take you to the next level, this episode delivers a complete blueprint for becoming the kind of leader people are proud to follow. Subscribe to the Limitless Leadership Lounge on YouTube for full video episodes and quick leadership clips to fuel your growth all week long.

    12 min
  2. He Went From Technician To CEO... Matt Simmes Tells Us How

    MAR 18

    He Went From Technician To CEO... Matt Simmes Tells Us How

    What does it really take to climb from the shop floor to the C-suite with integrity and impact? This week, Jon and Coach talk with Matt Simmes, CEO of IES Communications, who shares his powerful leadership journey beginning as a field technician to leading a billion dollar enterprise. Matt reveals how working in every role, from roofer to branch manager, shaped his empathy and credibility with teams. He emphasizes the importance of patience and consistent value creation to earn promotions, eschewing instant gratification for trust built over time. Sharing hard lessons from family business leadership, Matt explains how he and his brother crafted a new vision, embracing innovation while honoring past legacies. He stresses the critical need to hire for integrity, attitude, and learning agility, and the value of investing deeply in onboarding and ongoing development. Discussing leadership culture, Matt outlines a firm commitment to weekly leadership training, consistent communication, and showing care by recognizing employee milestones and celebrating wins. He also shares insights on handling conflict openly and honestly, adapting leadership styles for different personalities, and fostering psychological safety to empower teams. Whether in trades, corporate leadership, or entrepreneurship, this episode equips emerging leaders with practical tools and inspiration to grow boldly and build lasting impact. Connect with Matt: matt.simmes@ies-co.com

    40 min
  3. When Success Slips Away … How Clint Hurdle Rewrote His Leadership Playbook

    MAR 11

    When Success Slips Away … How Clint Hurdle Rewrote His Leadership Playbook

    What does it take to transform talent, grit, and setbacks into lasting leadership? This week, Jon Goehring, Coach Jim Johnson, and Dr. Rehnuma Karim welcome Clint Hurdle — former MLB player and manager, author of Hurdle-isms, and inspirational coach — for an uplifting conversation about resilience, identity, and leadership. Clint shares how a natural gift for sports was honed through hard work, sacrifice, and relentless practice, illustrating the importance of perseverance through highs and lows — from gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated at 20 to facing demotions in the minor leagues. He opens up about navigating intense pressure, self-imposed anxiety, and the struggle to maintain confidence amid enormous expectations, underscoring the vital role of mentors and self-awareness in leadership growth. Diving into his coaching career, Clint reveals how he rebuilt a struggling prep school football culture by leading with love, accountability, and clear vision — even hiring a player with nonverbal cerebral palsy who became a cornerstone of the team’s success. From learning to delegate and empower to balancing the demands of family, faith, and personal wellness, Clint provides practical and heartfelt lessons for young and emerging leaders. Whether on the field or in the boardroom, this episode inspires you to embrace your identity, rise above failure, and lead with unstoppable heart. Resources Mentioned: Clint Hurdle’s book Hurdle-isms — available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hurdle-isms-Wit-Wisdom-Lifetime-Baseball/dp/139429204X Learn more and connect: clinthurdle.com

    56 min
  4. MAR 4

    Fail Forward, Own Your Story — The Leadership Journey of Mark Astor

    What if the biggest challenge in leadership is embracing failure, finding purpose, and taking absolute ownership? This week, Jon Goehring, Coach Jim Johnson, and Dr. Rehnuma Karim talk with Mark Astor — mental health and addiction attorney, author, and advocate — about overcoming setbacks and living a purpose-driven life. Mark shares his winding path from a burned-out prosecutor facing mounting cases and personal struggles to a successful entrepreneur running a mission-focused law firm. He reveals how shifting his mindset from victim to disciplined doer, writing down clear goals, and visualizing success helped him redefine leadership and build a sustainable business. He emphasizes the critical importance of taking full responsibility for both personal and professional failures, surrounding yourself with a supportive community, and staying focused despite external distractions and challenges. Mark also discusses how having a clear mission and values brings alignment in business and life, and how thriving leaders build authentic relationships that elevate teams through care, empathy, and trust. Whether you’re an emerging leader or seeking renewal through challenge, this episode offers inspiring lessons on resilience, purpose, and unstoppable leadership. Resources Mentioned: Mark Astor’s law firm website: mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com Florida Baker Act defense resources: flabar.org Social media and online content via “Mark Astor” search

    40 min
  5. Down But Not Out - 3 Ways To Bounce Back

    FEB 25

    Down But Not Out - 3 Ways To Bounce Back

    What if failure isn’t the end of your story, but the key to your next breakthrough? This week, Jon Goehring, Coach Jim Johnson, and Dr. Rehnuma Karim explore the universal experience of setbacks... and share three powerful strategies to bounce back stronger. Coach draws on decades of basketball coaching to reveal the importance of analyzing what went wrong, correcting course, and committing to consistent improvement... because repeating mistakes is the only true failure. They discuss how daily scoreboards and honest autopsies lead to continuous growth in sports, business, and life. Dr. Rehnuma shares a moving example of her nephew’s journey from job rejections to discovering his true calling in academia... a vivid reminder that failure can serve as a guiding signpost toward our highest purpose. Together, they urge you to reframe failure as an “ignorance tax”—an essential price paid once to pave the way forward. The hosts also highlight the critical role of your reaction to failure, cautioning against “double errors” that compound loss, and emphasize self compassion and mindset shifts as vital tools. Citing thought leaders like Mike Baker and Albert Einstein, they remind listeners that persistent learning, courageous reflection, and purposeful action fuel true success. If you or someone you know is struggling with setbacks, this episode offers invaluable encouragement and a concrete path to rise with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

    14 min
  6. Lead Without Limits — Leadership Lessons with Chris Malleo

    FEB 18

    Lead Without Limits — Leadership Lessons with Chris Malleo

    What does it take to lead with true impact, embracing challenge, love, and authentic connection? This week, we sit down with Chris Malleo — leadership coach, author of The ChairLeader, and former quarterback turned championship prep school coach — for a deeply inspiring discussion on culture-building and leadership resilience. Chris shares his personal story of navigating leadership transitions, throwing out ego to lead teams through reinvention and challenge. He reveals how early decisions to hire with integrity, courage, and selflessness combined with relentless consistency build not just winning teams but sustainable cultures. From his extraordinary partnership with Frankie — a nonverbal cerebral palsy coach who defied expectations — to coaching techniques that amplify accountability and love, Chris opens up on what leadership truly requires beyond titles and trophies. He also shares insights on building leadership teams that thrive on trust, adapting leadership style to individuals, and consistently living the values you preach. Chris discusses his innovative approach to measuring organizational culture in real-time to enable proactive growth and alignment. Whether leading young athletes or corporate teams, this episode offers transformational insights on leading boldly with heart, humility, and the power of enduring love. Resources Mentioned: Book The ChairLeader - https://www.amazon.com/ChairLeader-Lead-Without-Limits/dp/B0FRCVC4QD Connect With Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-malleo-7a4b0a8b/ Website: chrismalleo.com

    49 min
  7. The Team First Playbook — How Chad Peterman Builds High-Trust Cultures

    FEB 11

    The Team First Playbook — How Chad Peterman Builds High-Trust Cultures

    What does it truly mean to lead a growing, family-owned business into a high-trust, high-performance culture? This week, we talk with Chad Peterman — President and CEO of Peterman Brothers, a family plumbing and HVAC business in Indiana — about transitioning, building culture, and hiring right. Chad shares insights from taking over his father’s business and crafting a vivid, evolving vision to unite the team around shared goals. He opens up about his leadership philosophy which revolves around empowering the tradespeople in his company to grow without limits, putting values into consistent practice, and modeling accountability daily. He stresses the importance of showing care for employees above all else, linking employee wellbeing directly to customer service and business growth. Chad walks us through his robust one-on-one meeting rhythms, the integration of KPIs with individual development, and how consistent communication keeps his team aligned and motivated. Drawing on his sports background and hands-on experience, Chad also discusses handling conflict, unlearning old habits, and embracing accountability to create lasting organizational change. He reflects on the balance of family and business leadership, and how core values continually shape his approach. Whether you’re stepping into leadership or scaling a family business, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration for leading with heart, integrity, and vision. Learn more about Chad: https://chadmpeterman.com/ Learn more about Peterman Brothers: https://petermanhvac.com/

    38 min
  8. Purpose and Profit Are NOT Enemies — The Stewardship Advantage with David Grau Sr

    FEB 4

    Purpose and Profit Are NOT Enemies — The Stewardship Advantage with David Grau Sr

    What if building a business that truly serves your community AND consistently makes profit isn’t just possible but essential? This week, David Grau Sr. — serial author and small business strategist — joins us from his horse farm in Kentucky to share powerful leadership insights from his book, The Stewardship Advantage. David challenges the myth that purpose and profit are at odds, emphasizing that well-written mission, vision, and values statements paired with operational systems can empower small business owners to excel at both. He explains that starting with clear purpose anchors all leadership decisions, helping owners hire the right people, build sustainable businesses, and create lasting legacies. Drawing on his rich background advising businesses worldwide, David underscores the importance of prioritizing stakeholders — from employees and customers to community and environment — and gradually building stewardship plans that drive meaningful impact locally and beyond. He offers practical tools for leaders to define, document, and regularly review their mission-aligned goals, manage balance, and cultivate resilience. David also highlights success stories of businesses thriving through strategic stewardship and shares tips on caring for yourself physically and mentally to lead well. Whether you’re an entrepreneur launching new ventures or a leader guiding existing businesses, this episode unpacks how stewardship unlocks both purpose and profit to elevate your leadership journey. Pick up your copy of The Stewardship Advantage, and find David's other books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00JIG8XYM?ccs_id=4c4e3a84-6d12-4c0c-a3e7-562b1a11075e

    43 min
5
out of 5
22 Ratings

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A tri-generational conversation for emerging leaders.

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