The Partnership Guys

Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, Rob Stolker
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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. 1D AGO

    How Conflict Can Actually Save Your Partnership

    What if the thing you’re avoiding in your partnership is the exact thing that could make it stronger? Most business partners treat conflict like a warning sign. But Todd, Steven, and Rob argue the opposite. Healthy conflict might be one of the biggest competitive advantages a partnership can have. In this episode, they unpack why disagreements are inevitable, why avoiding tough conversations quietly destroys trust, and how the best partnerships learn to turn friction into growth. They share real stories from decades of working together, painful lessons from failed partnerships, and the mindset shift that changes conflict from something personal into something productive. Because great partnerships are not built by agreeing on everything. They are built by learning how to disagree well. If you work closely with business partners, co-founders, leadership teams, or key relationships, this conversation might completely change how you think about conflict. What You Will Learn in This EpisodeHow to turn disagreements into better business decisionsHow to address conflict before resentment starts buildingHow to separate ego from productive conversationsHow to create trust through honest communicationHow to use different perspectives as a competitive advantageHow to recognize when avoiding conflict is hurting your partnershipQuestions AnsweredWhy do healthy partnerships still have conflict?What makes conflict destructive versus productive?Why do some partnerships grow stronger through disagreements?How can partners challenge each other without making it personal?What happens when partners avoid hard conversations for too long?Why is trying to “win” the wrong goal in conflict?Listen now and learn how to strengthen your partnership through honest conversations and healthy conflict. 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.

    14 min

  2. MAY 12

    The Moment You Start Counting, You Start Losing

    What happens when business partners stop keeping score... and start trying to outgive each other instead? Most partnerships don’t fail because of bad strategy. They fail because resentment quietly takes over. One partner feels unsupported. The other feels unappreciated. Suddenly every conversation becomes a silent competition over who’s doing more. In this episode, The Partnership Guys break down the powerful “60-40 Rule,” a mindset that helped Todd and Steven build a 25-year partnership through business pressure, family struggles, life changes, and personal challenges. Instead of demanding equality every day, they learned how generosity, trust, and support create partnerships that actually last. This conversation gets honest about resentment, scorekeeping, burnout, flexibility, and why the healthiest partnerships are built by people asking one simple question: “How can I help more?” If you work with people, this episode will challenge the way you think about partnership. What you will learn in this episodeHow to stop scorekeeping before it quietly destroys trustHow to support a partner when life pulls their focus awayHow to create a culture of generosity inside your businessHow to build long-term balance instead of chasing daily equalityHow to strengthen loyalty through flexibility and communicationHow to shift from “me versus you” into a true team mindsetHow to recognize the warning signs of resentment earlyQuestions AnsweredWhy is 50-50 partnership unrealistic?What is the 60-40 Rule?How does scorekeeping damage a business relationship?Why do great partnerships thrive during difficult seasons?What causes resentment between business partners?How do healthy partners handle imbalance over time?Why is generosity so important in leadership and partnership?How do strong partnerships create stronger company culture?Sound Bite“The healthiest partnerships are built by the partners asking, ‘How can I help more?’ instead of ‘Am I doing more?’” Approx. Timestamp: 18:10 Listen now and learn how to strengthen your 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.

    20 min

  3. MAY 5

    Why you think control helps you but actually holds you back

    What if the reason your partnership feels stuck… is because you’re trying to do everything together? Most partners believe alignment means constant agreement. Every decision gets discussed. Every move gets debated. It sounds smart… until everything slows to a crawl. In this episode, the guys challenge one of the most common (and costly) habits in business partnerships. They unpack why dividing decision-making isn’t about losing control… it’s about unlocking speed, trust, and real growth. But here’s the twist: decision domains only work if the foundation is strong. Without trust, they create distance. With it, they create momentum. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what actually makes partnerships efficient… and why most people get it wrong. What you will learn in this episode:How to divide decision-making without creating silosHow to build trust before problems show upHow to support your partner when their decisions go wrongHow to avoid the “committee trap” that kills momentumHow to communicate across decision domains effectivelyQuestions answered:Why do most partnerships slow down over time?What are decision domains and why do they matter?How do you trust your partner to make the right call?What happens when a decision goes wrong?How do you stay aligned without agreeing on everything?Listen now, and learn how to strengthen your 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.

    19 min

  4. APR 28

    The Silent Killer in Your Partnership You’re Ignoring

    Are you actually aligned with your business partner… or just assuming you are? Most partnerships don’t fail because of bad ideas—they fail because of unspoken expectations. In this episode, The Partnership Guys pull back the curtain on a common trap: thinking you’re on the same page when you’ve never really had the conversation. What looks like alignment on the surface can quickly turn into tension, resentment, and even a complete breakdown. They share real stories of partnerships that seemed perfect… until they weren’t. And they challenge the idea that “getting along” is enough. Because it’s not. The real work happens in the uncomfortable conversations most people avoid. If you’ve ever thought, “We’re good, we don’t need to talk about that,” this episode might change how you approach your partnership forever. What you will learn in this episodeHow to uncover hidden expectations before they turn into conflictHow to have difficult conversations early instead of paying for them laterHow to align on risk tolerance, timelines, and visionHow to prevent resentment from building through daily communicationHow to separate ego from what the business actually needsQuestions answeredWhy do partnerships fail even when things seem “fine”?What expectations should you define before starting a business together?How often should partners communicate to stay aligned?What role does risk tolerance play in partnership success?Can a partnership still succeed if someone wants to exit?Listen now, and learn how to strengthen your 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.

    20 min

  5. APR 21

    The Hidden Ego Trap That’s Quietly Costing You Everything

    Are you trying to win the argument… or actually build something that works? In this episode, The Partnership Guys pull back the curtain on one of the most dangerous forces in any business relationship: ego. Not the loud, obvious kind—but the subtle, creeping version that slowly erodes trust, communication, and momentum without you even noticing. Through real stories, hard-earned lessons, and a few uncomfortable truths, they challenge the way you think about being right, being heard, and being in control. Because the truth is, most partnerships don’t explode—they quietly fall apart. And if you’re not paying attention, you might be the one holding the match. This conversation isn’t about eliminating ego. It’s about recognizing it, managing it, and choosing something better before it costs you the partnership—and the business. What you will learn in this episodeHow to recognize when your ego is showing up in conversationsHow to stop turning small disagreements into major conflictsHow to separate confidence from ego in decision-makingHow to create space for better communication and trustHow to prioritize the best outcome over personal winsQuestions answeredWhat does ego actually look like in a partnership?How do you know if you’re the one bringing ego into the room?Why does ego quietly destroy partnerships over time?How can partners call out ego without creating more conflict?What are practical ways to manage ego in real-time conversations?Listen now, and learn how to strengthen your 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.

    22 min

  6. APR 14

    Why You Think You’re Protecting Your Partner… But You’re Actually Hurting Them

    What’s the real cost of the conversation you keep avoiding? Most partnerships don’t fall apart because of one big blow-up. They fall apart because of the conversations that never happen. In this episode, the guys unpack a painful, real story where avoiding one difficult conversation nearly destroyed a business. What felt like protecting a relationship turned into years of damage, resentment, and recovery. This isn’t about being confrontational. It’s about understanding why silence feels safer in the moment… and why it quietly creates long-term chaos. The shift? Learning how to approach hard conversations with clarity, not emotion—and realizing that conflict, when handled right, might be the very thing that strengthens your partnership. If you’ve ever hesitated to say what needs to be said, this one will hit close to home. What you will learn in this episodeHow to address issues early before they turn emotional and personalHow to separate the problem from the person in tough conversationsHow to approach conflict without ego or defensivenessHow to build trust through honesty, even when it’s uncomfortableHow to turn difficult conversations into opportunities for growthQuestions answeredWhy do partners avoid difficult conversations?What actually happens when you delay addressing a problem?How do you start a tough conversation the right way?How can conflict strengthen a partnership instead of breaking it?What role does ego play in damaging communication?

    18 min

  7. APR 7

    The moment you realize you can’t do this by yourself

    What do you do when the world pushes back on something you know is right? In this episode, the guys unpack a story that goes far beyond business. What starts as an April Fool’s joke turns into something much deeper—frustration, resistance, and a mission that refuses to die. Rob shares the reality of building something no one asked for… but everyone needs. This isn’t just about innovation. It’s about conviction. And more importantly, it’s about the people who keep you going when quitting would be easier. Because when the setbacks pile up, the critics get loud, and the path feels impossible… you find out fast whether your partnerships are real—or just convenient. This episode challenges the idea that success is about strategy alone. Sometimes, it’s about who stands next to you when things get hard. What you will learn in this episodeHow to keep going when resistance makes you question everythingHow to build partnerships that actually support you under pressureHow to stay committed to a mission when results take yearsHow to filter out noise and focus on the people who believe in youHow to turn emotional moments into fuel instead of frustrationQuestions answeredWhy do some missions face massive resistance—even when they make sense?What role do partners really play when things get difficult?How do you stay motivated when progress is slow?What separates partners from just “people involved”?How do you know if you’re on the right path when others push back?Listen now, and learn how to strengthen your 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.

    18 min

  8. MAR 31

    If You Don’t Say It Now, You’ll Pay for It Later

    What if the real problem in your partnership isn’t conflict… but silence? Most partners think breakdowns happen because of big blowups. But Steven, Todd, and Rob argue the opposite. It’s not the fights that kill partnerships. It’s everything you don’t say. The small stuff. The “not worth bringing up” moments. The quiet assumptions. Left unchecked, those tiny cracks turn into resentment, distance, and eventually… damage that’s hard to undo. This episode pulls back the curtain on what real communication actually looks like inside strong partnerships. Not perfect conversations. Not scripted check-ins. But consistent, honest, sometimes uncomfortable dialogue that builds trust instead of eroding it. Because the best partnerships don’t avoid problems. They out-communicate them. 🎯 What you will learn in this episode:How to catch small issues before they become big problemsHow to create a natural rhythm of communication that builds trustHow to have hard conversations without damaging the relationshipHow to listen without bringing ego into the conversationHow to stop resentment before it silently builds❓ Questions answered:Why do most partnerships actually fail?What happens when you ignore small issues?How often should partners communicate?What makes a conversation “healthy” vs. destructive?How do you handle uncomfortable conversations the right way?🎧 Listen now, and learn how to strengthen your 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.

    15 min
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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
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, Rob Stolker