The Partnership Guys

Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, Rob Stolker
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Most business problems are really people problems—especially when it comes to partnerships. Whether it’s your co-founder, a key vendor, or even your top customer, misalignment can cost you time, money, and sanity. The Partnership Guys Podcast helps you fix that. This is the show for entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders who know relationships drive results. Steven, Todd, and Rob have built multi-million dollar companies and navigated the full spectrum of business partnerships—from co-owners and teams to clients and collaborators. They’ve had the tough talks, survived the ego clashes, and figured out how to make business relationships actually work. Each week, they share honest conversations, practical frameworks, and battle-tested lessons to help you communicate clearly, build trust faster, and turn every partnership into a strategic advantage. If you work with people, this podcast is for you. Subscribe and make your partnerships work better. Hosted by Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, and Rob Stolker

  1. 4h ago

    Why You Can't Fake a Strong Partnership

    What if the biggest threat to your business isn't your competition, but what your team sees when they watch you and your partner? Every employee is watching. They don't just hear your core values. They watch how you treat each other when things get hard. In this episode, The Partnership Guys unpack why partnership culture starts long before an employee handbook and why every conversation between partners is shaping the future of the business. Through honest stories of thriving partnerships, painful failures, and decades of experience, they reveal why trust, respect, and clarity can't be hidden or faked. The way partners show up together becomes the culture everyone else follows. What you will learn in this episodeHow to build a partnership culture your team actually believes.How to create clarity that eliminates confusion for employees.How to demonstrate trust and respect instead of simply talking about it.How to handle disagreements without damaging your culture.How to onboard new employees into a partnership that inspires confidence.How to recognize the warning signs that your partnership is affecting your business.Questions AnsweredWhy does partnership culture begin with the owners?What happens when partners try to hide conflict from employees?Why do confused partners create confused employees?How do healthy disagreements strengthen company culture?What role does clarity play in employee confidence?Why do employees copy partner behavior instead of company policies?Listen now and discover how a healthy partnership creates a healthy business. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you got value from this conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

  2. Jul 28

    How Partners Keep Growing Without Growing Apart

    What if your partnership isn't falling apart... it's just growing in different directions? The biggest threat to a business partnership usually isn't one dramatic fight. It's the slow drift that happens when life changes, priorities shift, and nobody talks about it. Great partnerships don't survive because people stay the same. They survive because partners make time to understand who each other is becoming. In this episode, Steven, Todd, and Rob share personal stories about raising families, changing priorities, painful partnership failures, and the conversations that kept great partnerships alive. They challenge one of the biggest myths in business: that partners have to grow the same way. Instead, they reveal why supporting each other's changing seasons creates stronger businesses and stronger relationships. If you've ever felt like you and your partner aren't quite on the same page anymore, this conversation could change how you think about growth forever. What you will learn in this episodeHow to recognize the early warning signs before partners drift apart.How to have small conversations that prevent big problems.How to support your partner through changing seasons of life.How to stay aligned even when your priorities evolve.How to focus on shared outcomes instead of identical paths.How to revisit your Fundamental Focus before misalignment becomes conflict.Questions AnsweredWhy do successful business partners grow apart?How do you know when your partnership is drifting?What conversations should partners have regularly?Can partners have different goals and still succeed?How do you support a partner whose priorities have changed?What does a "win" look like for each partner?Listen now and learn how to strengthen your partnership before small changes become big problems. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you found value in this conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

  3. Jul 21

    The Money Conversation You Keep Avoiding Could Cost You Everything

    Could avoiding one conversation today destroy your partnership tomorrow? Most partners think money is what breaks businesses apart. It isn't. It's everything that never gets said about the money. In this episode, The Partnership Guys tackle one of the most uncomfortable topics in business: money and equity. They share personal stories of partnerships that thrived, partnerships that failed, and why resentment almost always starts long before anyone notices it. Whether you're splitting profits, making capital contributions, deciding compensation, or simply trying to stay aligned as life changes, this conversation will challenge the way you think about fairness. The numbers matter. But what they represent matters even more. If you've ever avoided talking about money because it felt awkward, this episode might be the conversation your partnership needs before it's too late. What you will learn in this episodeHow to separate fairness from equality in a partnership.How to have difficult money conversations before resentment builds.How to create transparency around compensation, equity, and distributions.How to handle changing life circumstances without damaging trust.How to normalize financial conversations instead of treating them like emergencies.How to build stronger partnerships through honest communication.Questions answeredWhy do money conversations become so emotional?What is the difference between equal and fair?When should partners revisit compensation?How should partners handle capital contributions?What happens when one partner feels undervalued?Why do profitable businesses still fail because of money?How often should partners discuss finances?Listen now and learn how to strengthen your partnership before money becomes a problem. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you got value from this conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

  4. Jul 14

    Why You Can't Afford to Skip This Conversation

    What if one conversation each year could completely change the future of your partnership? Most business owners schedule annual planning sessions, review financials, and set ambitious goals. But almost nobody takes the time to review the relationship that drives it all. That oversight can quietly create misalignment, frustration, and missed opportunities long before anyone notices. In this episode, The Partnership Guys explain why the annual partnership review has become one of the most valuable traditions in their 25-year partnership. They share how intentional conversations about trust, changing life goals, communication, and expectations have helped them stay aligned through every stage of business and life. If you think your partnership is fine because you talk every day, this conversation may challenge that assumption in the best possible way. What you will learn in this episodeHow to create an annual partnership review that strengthens trust before problems appear.How to keep your partnership aligned as your personal goals and life circumstances change.How to have uncomfortable conversations without damaging the relationship.How to identify actionable commitments that improve your partnership every year.How to make your partnership the foundation for better business decisions.How to build a habit of staying aligned instead of waiting until something breaks.Questions answeredWhy isn't an annual business review enough?What should be discussed during a partnership review?How often should business partners have strategic conversations?How do you bring up difficult topics without creating conflict?What happens when partners' personal goals begin to change?Why do strong partnerships still need regular checkups?What action items should come out of a partnership review? Listen now and learn how intentional conversations can strengthen your partnership long before problems appear. Subscribe to The Partnership Guys Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you found value in this episode, share it with another business owner or partner who needs to hear it. And don't forget to leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

  5. Jul 7

    The Simple Habit You’re Probably Missing in Your Partnership

    Are you waiting until there's a problem before talking to your partner?Most business partners work hard on the business. Far fewer work on the partnership itself. And that's where things start to break down. In this episode, The Partnership Guys unpack one of the most overlooked tools in business: a partnership operating rhythm. They share why successful partnerships aren't built through occasional conversations or crisis meetings. They're built through intentional, consistent communication. Steven, Todd, and Rob discuss how small frustrations become major conflicts, why silence creates dangerous stories in our heads, and how a simple 15-minute conversation today can prevent a three-hour argument tomorrow. They also reveal the meeting rhythms they've developed over 25 years that continue to strengthen their own partnership. The lesson is simple: alignment isn't automatic. It requires maintenance. What You Will Learn in This EpisodeHow to build a partnership operating rhythm that creates trustHow to prevent small frustrations from becoming major conflictsHow to stay aligned when business and life get busyHow to create conversations that go beyond numbers and operationsHow to strengthen communication before problems appearHow to use regular check-ins to eliminate assumptions and resentmentHow to create annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly partnership touchpointsQuestions AnsweredWhy do business partnerships become reactive?What causes resentment to build between partners?How often should partners meet?What should partners discuss beyond business performance?Why is scheduled communication different from everyday communication?How do successful partners stay aligned over time?What role does trust play in long-term partnership success?How can partners prevent conflicts before they become major issues?Listen NowListen now and learn how to strengthen your partnership through intentional communication and alignment. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you got value from this conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

  6. Jun 30

    Can You Rebuild Trust After It’s Been Broken?

    What happens when the person you built the business with becomes the person you trust the least? Most partnerships don’t collapse because of one big betrayal. They unravel through a thousand small moments. A broken commitment here. A hidden agenda there. A conversation that never really gets resolved. In this episode, The Partnership Guys tackle one of the most important and uncomfortable topics in business: trust. Drawing from decades of experience, they share real stories of partnerships that thrived because trust was protected, and others that failed because trust was neglected. They explore why trust rarely breaks overnight, the warning signs most partners miss, and what it actually takes to rebuild trust once cracks begin to form. If you've ever felt tension growing between you and a business partner, this conversation could change the future of your business. Trust takes years to build. Losing it can happen faster than you think. What You Will Learn in This EpisodeHow to identify the early warning signs that trust is starting to erodeHow to rebuild trust through actions instead of empty apologiesHow to create transparency before problems become partnership-ending conflictsHow to have difficult conversations without damaging the relationshipHow to recognize when frustration is becoming personalHow to use vulnerability to strengthen trust instead of weaken itHow to create a culture of ownership that protects the partnershipQuestions AnsweredWhy does trust break down between business partners?Can trust really be rebuilt once it's damaged?What behaviors destroy trust the fastest?Why do some successful businesses fail despite making money?How do hidden agendas impact a partnership?What role does communication play in rebuilding trust?How do you know when trust has crossed the point of no return?What practical steps can partners take to restore confidence in each other?Listen now and learn how to protect the foundation of every successful partnership. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you got value from this conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

  7. Jun 23

    Can You Build a Stronger Partnership Through Burnout?

    What happens when one partner is running on empty while the other is still firing on all cylinders? Most entrepreneurs think burnout is a personal problem. The Partnership Guys argue it's a partnership problem. When one partner starts showing up frustrated, disengaged, impatient, or overwhelmed, the ripple effects can impact the entire business. In this episode, Todd, Steven, and Rob dive into a challenge every long-term partnership will eventually face: uneven energy levels. They share hard-earned lessons from decades of business ownership, painful partnership failures, and successful partnerships that have stood the test of time. The conversation explores why burnout doesn't always look the way people expect, how great partners recognize the warning signs before the person experiencing them does, and why support is one of the greatest strengths a partnership can offer. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, unsupported, or worried about a partner who seems different lately, this episode offers a powerful reminder: the best partnerships aren't built during the easy seasons. They're proven during the hard ones. What You Will Learn in This EpisodeHow to recognize the hidden signs of burnout before they damage your partnershipHow to communicate when you're overwhelmed without letting ego get in the wayHow to support a partner who is struggling without creating resentmentHow to navigate different seasons of life while protecting the businessHow to build a partnership culture where asking for help becomes a strengthHow to create the trust that allows partners to carry each other through difficult timesHow to turn burnout from a threat into an opportunity to strengthen your relationshipQuestions AnsweredWhat does burnout actually look like in a business partnership?Why do some partners recognize burnout before the person experiencing it?How should you approach a partner who seems overwhelmed or disengaged?What role does communication play in preventing partnership breakdowns?Why doesn't taking time away always solve burnout?How can partners support each other through difficult personal seasons?What separates healthy partnerships from unhealthy ones during times of stress?How do great partnerships survive burnout while others fall apart?Listen now and learn how to strengthen your partnership when life and business get hard. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you got value from this conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

  8. Jun 16

    Could You Build a Better Business by Building a Better Friendship?

    Can you build a successful business partnership without building a friendship? Most entrepreneurs focus on roles, responsibilities, and revenue when they think about partnerships. But what if the real competitive advantage isn't found in a contract or operating agreement? What if it's found in the relationship itself? In this episode, The Partnership Guys explore a question many business owners never stop to ask: what happens when business partners become genuine friends? Todd, Steven, and Rob share personal stories about partnerships that evolved into lifelong friendships, partnerships that never did, and the surprising impact those relationships had on trust, communication, conflict, and long-term success. They reveal why friendship isn't required to start a partnership, but why it can become one of the most valuable assets a business ever develops. If you've ever struggled through difficult conversations, felt disconnected from a partner, or wondered why some partnerships thrive while others collapse, this conversation may challenge the way you think about business relationships. What You Will Learn in This EpisodeHow to build trust and friendship after becoming business partnersHow to separate business disagreements from personal relationshipsHow to create stronger commitment during difficult timesHow to have conversations about difficult topics without damaging the relationshipHow to strengthen a partnership outside of the officeHow to assume positive intent when challenges ariseHow to support your partner's goals while advancing the businessHow to create a partnership culture focused on solving problems togetherQuestions AnsweredDo business partners need to be friends to succeed?What are the benefits of friendship in a business partnership?How can partners build friendship over time?Why do some partnerships never develop trust?How does friendship change the way partners handle conflict?What makes difficult conversations easier in long-term partnerships?Can spending time together outside work improve business results?How do successful partners stay focused on the problem instead of each other?Listen now and discover why the strongest partnerships are often built on something much deeper than business. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you got value from this conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. It helps more people discover the show.

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About

Most business problems are really people problems—especially when it comes to partnerships. Whether it’s your co-founder, a key vendor, or even your top customer, misalignment can cost you time, money, and sanity. The Partnership Guys Podcast helps you fix that. This is the show for entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders who know relationships drive results. Steven, Todd, and Rob have built multi-million dollar companies and navigated the full spectrum of business partnerships—from co-owners and teams to clients and collaborators. They’ve had the tough talks, survived the ego clashes, and figured out how to make business relationships actually work. Each week, they share honest conversations, practical frameworks, and battle-tested lessons to help you communicate clearly, build trust faster, and turn every partnership into a strategic advantage. If you work with people, this podcast is for you. Subscribe and make your partnerships work better. Hosted by Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, and Rob Stolker

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, Rob Stolker
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, Rob Stolker