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. 23h ago

    You Don’t Become a Great Leader by Always Leading

    What if becoming a better leader starts with learning when not to lead? Entrepreneurs are wired to take control. But a strong partnership challenges that instinct. In this episode of The Partnership Guys Podcast, Todd, Steven, and Rob explore why the person sitting next to you may be one of the most powerful leadership coaches you’ll ever have. A trusted partner sees the blind spots you can’t. They can tell you what employees may be afraid to say. And sometimes, instead of validating your brilliant idea, they tell you exactly why it might not be so brilliant. That can sting. But learning to listen, give up control, accept criticism, and care more about getting it right than being right can fundamentally change the way you lead. And there’s another reason this matters: your employees are watching. What you will learn in this episode How to recognize when it’s time to lead and when it’s time to followHow to use honest feedback from a partner to uncover your blind spotsHow to give up control without giving up leadershipHow to manage your ego when your partner challenges your thinkingHow to model a healthy partnership that strengthens the culture below youQuestions answered Why can a strong business partnership make you a better leader?What should a partner tell you that an employee probably won’t?How does giving up control actually improve leadership?Why is being right sometimes dangerous for a partnership?How does the relationship between business partners shape company culture?When should a great leader become a follower?Listen now and learn why strengthening your partnership may be one of the fastest ways to strengthen your leadership. 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. Aug 25

    Your Partner Doesn’t Need You to Be Perfect

    Can you tell your business partner the truth when the truth makes you look bad? It’s easy to talk about trust when business is good. The real test comes when someone screws up, disagrees, needs help, or has bad news to deliver. In Episode 27, Rob, Todd, and Steven dig into psychological safety and why strong partnerships create room for honesty without fear of anger, blame, or retaliation. Todd and Steven share how painful past partnerships pushed them to start their relationship differently, with uncomfortable conversations before they even became partners. The bigger lesson? Your partner doesn’t need you to be perfect. They need to know they’re getting the real you. And when partners model that kind of honesty, it doesn’t stay between the owners. The entire team notices. What you will learn in this episode How to create a safe space for difficult conversationsHow to admit mistakes without destroying trustHow to disagree without turning conflict into combatHow to use vulnerability to strengthen your partnershipHow to model honesty so your team stops hiding problemsHow to recognize when ego is getting in the way of truthQuestions answered Can you really tell your partner the truth?Why do some partners hide mistakes from each other?What makes vulnerability a strength instead of a weakness?How should a partner respond when the other person screws up?Can partners rebuild psychological safety after trust has been damaged?How does the relationship between partners affect the rest of the team?Listen now and learn how to build a partnership where the truth doesn’t have to hide. 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.

  3. Aug 18

    How Crisis Reveals the Partnership You Really Have

    What happens to your partnership when everything starts going wrong? Good times can hide a lot. Crisis can’t. After 26 years as partners, Steven and Todd have faced 9/11, the anthrax scare, the 2008 financial crisis, Hurricane Sandy, COVID, supply chain disruptions, and plenty of self-inflicted business chaos. Through it all, they discovered something unexpected: the toughest moments didn’t weaken their partnership. They often made it stronger. Rob has seen the other side. In a partnership without trust, a crisis didn’t create the problems. It exposed them. In this episode of The Partnership Guys Podcast, Steven, Todd, and Rob explore why pressure reveals what a partnership is really made of, why trust creates speed when decisions matter most, and why the work partners do before the crisis may determine what happens when the business gets hit. What you will learn in this episodeHow to build trust before your business is testedHow to replace blame with problem-solving when pressure risesHow to use clear decision domains to move faster during uncertaintyHow to give your partner the confidence to act independently while staying alignedHow to turn difficult periods into opportunities to strengthen the partnershipQuestions answeredWhy do some partnerships get stronger during a crisis while others fall apart?What does pressure reveal about trust between partners?How can blame slow down a business when fast decisions matter?Why does clarity around roles become even more important during chaos?Can a crisis actually create new opportunities for a business?What should partners work on when everything is going well to prepare for when it isn’t?Listen now and learn how to build a partnership that can take a hit and keep moving forward. 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. Aug 11

    How You Protect the Partnership Before Things Go Wrong

    Why You Need an Exit Plan Before You Need an Exit What if the conversation that feels most pessimistic today could actually protect your partnership tomorrow? Most business partners start with optimism. They’re thinking about customers, growth, revenue, and everything they’re going to build together. Nobody wants to talk about what happens if someone wants out, gets sick, retires, dies, or simply changes their mind. That can be a costly mistake. In this episode of The Partnership Guys Podcast, Todd, Steven, and Rob tackle what they call the “partnership prenup.” They share firsthand stories of partnerships that ended very differently, including one that became a ten-year lawsuit and another where two partners were able to walk away with different wins while preserving their relationship. The difference wasn’t luck. It started with conversations most partners would rather avoid. What you will learn in this episodeHow to discuss an exit before emotions and conflict take overHow to identify what could trigger a partner’s exitHow to create clearer rules for unexpected life changesHow to protect the relationship while protecting the businessHow to reduce assumptions by defining the partnership’s guardrailsHow to prepare for different definitions of “the win”Questions answeredWhen should partners start talking about an exit?What happens when partners have completely different timelines?What should happen if a partner becomes disabled, dies, retires, or simply wants out?Can an exit plan actually make a partnership stronger?Why can early financial success hide serious partnership problems?How can partners separate with dignity, fairness, and respect?A great exit plan isn’t about expecting your partnership to fail. It’s about being prepared for life. Listen now and learn how to protect what you’re building before emotions make the decisions for you. 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.

  5. Aug 4

    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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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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
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, Rob Stolker