Leaders & Legacies

Craig Andrews
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The Leaders & Legacies Podcast celebrates leaders who are making a difference beyond themselves. It was inspired from events in 2021 when the host, Craig Andrews went into a 6-week coma. Even after waking up, his brain was scrambled for another two weeks. When his mind cleared, his wife started telling him how his team stepped up and ran the company without him. Freelancers reached out to his team and offered to do whatever was necessary while he was in the hospital. Craig believes we all make an impact greater than we realize and wants to honor owners and founders as they lead others. Craig Andrews is the founder and Principal Ally at allies4me. He’s been in the marketing space for more than two decades and has driven over a half-billion dollars of revenue. He’s spoken on dozens of podcast as well as conferences including Conversion Conference.

  1. 2D AGO

    243 - From Purple Branding to Powerful Follow-Up: Ely Delaney’s Playbook

    Ely Delaney doesn’t just teach follow-up marketing—he lives it. On this episode of Leaders & Legacies, Ely shares how authenticity and consistency transformed his business and leadership style. From his signature purple branding to a three-year evergreen email campaign, Ely leans into what makes him different—and encourages others to do the same. He and host Craig Andrews explore the leadership lesson behind showing up as your full self, even when it’s unconventional. Ely discusses how revealing his personal quirks, like his Renaissance fair obsession and dog love, helped him build stronger business relationships. The real leadership win? Ely’s ability to systematize authentic communication that continues building trust—even when he’s offline. Ely explains how his “Ultimate Follow-Up” system boosts engagement not with gimmicks, but with real conversation. His emails feel personal because they are. The result: higher open rates, stronger replies, and deeper relationships. Want to learn more about Ely Delaney's work? Check out his website at https://ElyDelaney.com. Connect with Ely Delaney on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/elydelaney/. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/. Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/

    38 min

  2. 4D AGO

    242 - Leadership Born in the ICU - Kimberly Carleson’s Mission to Fix Health Care Billing

    Kimberly Carleson didn’t set out to become a leader in health care reform. Life forced her into it. When her husband was diagnosed with stage four metastatic bladder cancer, Kimberly found herself navigating a health care system built for confusion, not care. Pregnant and raising a young daughter, she refused to accept the death sentence doctors gave her husband. Her advocacy, persistence, and leadership saved his life—and revealed a deeper calling. That experience became the foundation for U.S. Beacon, the company she founded to fight bloated medical billing and protect employers from skyrocketing health costs. Kimberly’s team reviews claims for self-funded plans, finding and eliminating ineligible charges—often cutting 20–40% from monthly claims. Her work restores fairness and trust in a system where both are in short supply. Her leadership isn’t just professional. It’s deeply personal. Kimberly speaks with clarity, strength, and purpose—because she’s lived what most only fear. Want to learn more about Kimberly Carleson’s work? Check out their website at https://www-us-beacon.com. Connect with Kimberly Carleson on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/kimberlycarleson. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/. Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

    29 min

  3. NOV 25

    241 - From HR Hater to Growth Strategist - DeeAnn Palin’s Bold Pivot

    DeeAnn Palin doesn’t just fix companies — she rebuilds them from the inside out. In this episode, Craig Andrews talks with the founder and CEO of OnPoint Business Solutions about her radical journey from corporate HR skeptic to trusted strategic partner for CEOs. Palin pulls back the curtain on toxic culture, ethical blind spots, and the cost of keeping the wrong people in leadership. She explains why HR should never be treated as a compliance function — and how, when done right, it becomes a company’s growth engine. Drawing from her experience with brands like Motorola and the Phoenix Suns, Palin shares real-world examples of betrayal, ethical breakdowns, and executive blind spots. She makes the case for firing fast, leading with values, and building cultures that actually perform. Her boldest leadership moment? Walking away from her largest client — and $1.3 million in savings — to protect her team. That’s not HR. That’s leadership. Want to learn more about DeeAnn Palin’s work? Check out her website at https://www.onptbiz.com. Connect with DeeAnn Palin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeannpalin/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/. Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Visit https://allies4me.com/.

    29 min

  4. NOV 20

    240 - From Marine to Media Mogul - Jesse Sieff on Leading with Precision

    Jesse Sieff is no stranger to reinvention. From military barracks to media production, he’s built a career on sharp pivots and sharper leadership. In this episode, Jesse breaks down how his time in the Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps instilled in him a deep respect for discipline, detail, and public representation—skills that now fuel his work at Sieff Studios. Jesse’s leadership style blends strategic vision with creative execution. His studio isn’t just about producing polished videos—it’s about crafting media that moves people and delivers results. He shares how his military background helped him lead high-performing teams and why leaders should master the art of storytelling if they want to build trust and drive action. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how Jesse helps clients show up confidently on camera and how he integrates AI tools to strengthen internal communication and branding. Whether you're a business owner navigating change or a leader scaling your message, Jesse offers actionable insight on building systems that support clarity, confidence, and growth. Want to learn more about Jesse Sieff's work? Check out their website at https://www.sieffstudios.com. Connect with Jesse Sieff on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessesieff/. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/. Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

    35 min

  5. NOV 18

    239 - The Power of Presence - Why Fathers Matter More Than Ever with Marquess Dennis

    Marquess Dennis doesn’t just talk about fatherhood—he’s on a mission to redefine it. As the founder of Birthright Living Legacy, he joins Craig Andrews to challenge cultural narratives, unpack generational trauma, and spotlight the deep systemic impact of absent fathers. Dennis shares his own journey from poverty in North Tulsa to building a nonprofit dedicated to helping fathers of all backgrounds reclaim their influence. With unfiltered honesty, he discusses how fatherlessness isn't confined to any one race or class—“it affects the poor house all the way to the White House.” He weaves together personal stories, sobering statistics, and sharp social commentary, revealing how pop culture has eroded the public perception of fatherhood and how leadership begins at home. Dennis makes a compelling case: fatherhood isn’t a footnote in a child’s life—it’s the framework. He urges dads to treat their families like million-dollar clients: full attention, consistent engagement, and intentional presence. Want to learn more about Marquess Dennis's work? Check out their website at https://brlivinglegacy.com. Connect with Marquess Dennis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquessdennis/. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/. Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

    33 min

  6. NOV 13

    238 -Why Your CPA Isn’t Your Tax Strategist - And What to Do About It with Paden Squires

    Paden Squires grew up in rural Missouri with firsthand experience of financial insecurity. That early exposure shaped his mission: help entrepreneurs grow wealth with clarity and confidence. In this episode, Paden breaks down why relying on your CPA for tax strategy is a mistake. Most CPAs are set up to file returns—not proactively plan. He walks through high-impact tax strategies like the Augusta Rule and explains why business owners should think of tax strategy the same way they think about advertising: as an ROI tool, not an expense. With deep insight into entrepreneurial finance, Paden emphasizes building advisory relationships that prioritize long-term planning over reactive compliance. He also sheds light on why so many accountants undervalue their work, run generic firms, and fail to deliver real value to business owners. If you’re running a 7-figure business and feel like you're leaving money on the table, this episode is your wake-up call. Want to learn more about Paden Squires' work? Check out their website at https://www.squirestaxplanning.com/ Connect with Paden Squires on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paden-squires-cpa-cfp-19681a1a/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/ Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/

    34 min

  7. NOV 6

    237 - Ashley Connell on Unlocking Hidden Ops Talent for Scalable Leadership

    Ashley Connell, CEO of Prowess Project, joins Leaders and Legacies to unpack a bold truth: leaders don’t need another version of themselves. They need a “not you”—a skilled operator who thrives on structure, details, and execution. In this episode, Ashley shares how she built a talent pipeline of highly qualified caregivers—primarily mothers and sandwich-generation women—who bring unmatched emotional intelligence and professional rigor to operations roles. These women aren’t looking for handouts; they’re looking for impact and flexibility. And they deliver, often increasing profits, improving team dynamics, and freeing CEOs to focus on growth. Ashley and Craig explore how emotional intelligence should be compensated like hard skills, why leadership means letting go, and the power of empathy in business. Ashley also reveals how Prowess Project uses data—not gut instinct—to match CEOs with the right operators, transforming overwhelmed founders into confident leaders. This is a must-listen for any business owner ready to lead with intention and build a legacy of empowered teams. Want to learn more about Ashley Connell's work? Check out their website at https://www.prowessproject.com. Connect with Ashley Connell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-connell-ceo/. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/. Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

    31 min

  8. OCT 30

    236 - Why Justin Dixon Quit a Six-Figure Job to Build a Recruiting Firm During a Crisis

    Justin Dixon walked away from a comfortable six-figure job and launched a recruiting firm—just weeks before the world shut down. In this episode, he joins Craig Andrews to unpack what it really takes to lead when the timing couldn’t be worse. Justin shares the personal finance moves he and his wife made to de-risk the leap, and why reading Rich Dad Poor Dad flipped his entire outlook on life and career. He talks about navigating COVID as a new business owner, giving away free career advice when no one was hiring, and how that generosity paid off later. He also dives into how most business owners misunderstand recruiters—and the small moves that can drastically improve your odds of landing A-players. From running triathlons to running a company, Justin reveals the parallels between endurance sports and entrepreneurial grit. Want to learn more about Justin Dixon's work? Check out their website at https://www.hiretomorrow.com. Connect with Justin Dixon on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmdixon15/. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/. Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

    31 min
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4.9
out of 5
86 Ratings

About

The Leaders & Legacies Podcast celebrates leaders who are making a difference beyond themselves. It was inspired from events in 2021 when the host, Craig Andrews went into a 6-week coma. Even after waking up, his brain was scrambled for another two weeks. When his mind cleared, his wife started telling him how his team stepped up and ran the company without him. Freelancers reached out to his team and offered to do whatever was necessary while he was in the hospital. Craig believes we all make an impact greater than we realize and wants to honor owners and founders as they lead others. Craig Andrews is the founder and Principal Ally at allies4me. He’s been in the marketing space for more than two decades and has driven over a half-billion dollars of revenue. He’s spoken on dozens of podcast as well as conferences including Conversion Conference.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig Andrews
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Craig Andrews
  • Show Website
    Leaders & Legacies