Untold

Jon Spiesman

5.0 (2)
ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Welcome to the Untold podcast! Here, we're speaking with local businesses that are the best kept secrets of Utah. Find out their journey, their business challenges and tips, and hidden advice brought to light to help you with your own journey! We hope you enjoy! Please like, subscribe, and rate to never miss an episode! Jon

3D AGO

S02 E07 Running 4 Companies: The 1 Rule That Makes It Possible | Tyler Margetts

🎙️ In this episode, Tyler Margetts, CEO of LR Dynamics, shares insights on managing multiple businesses, building strong teams, and redefining excellence in leadership. From resource allocation and strategic planning to delegation and long-term stewardship, Tyler explains the realities of leading several companies while maintaining growth and operational focus. He also discusses how technology, organizational structure, and team culture play a major role in scaling successfully. In this conversation, we explore: 💡 Managing and balancing multiple businesses📈 Strategic planning and resource allocation🧠 Why excellence is a continuous journey👥 Building and developing a strong leadership team⚙️ Using technology to improve business management🚀 The importance of delegation and protecting leadership time🤝 Creating a culture where employees thrive📊 Long-term thinking and sustainable business growth A key theme throughout the episode is leadership through service building businesses by supporting people, empowering teams, and constantly improving. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, or scaling organizations, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience. 🔔 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and business leaders. #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CEO #Management #Delegation #BusinessStrategy #LRDynamics #LeadershipDevelopment #TheBusinessSpotlight We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold #DigitalPathology #AIInnovation #RemoteWorkCulture #MedTech #StartupLeadership #Techcyte #UntoldPodcastWithJon#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.

40 min
MAY 12

S02 E06 Rebuilding Culture after a Tough Merger- 3 Things that Worked

What really happens to company culture after an acquisition? In this episode, David Beenfield, CEO and co-founder of Dwelo, shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at navigating mergers, cultural disruption, and rebuilding trust after major organizational change. From building a strong, scrappy startup culture to experiencing its breakdown following a high-stakes merger, David opens up about the hidden costs of growth, leadership transitions, and the emotional reality of layoffs. He explains how the loss of transparency, identity, and alignment can fracture teams—and what it truly takes to rebuild them. David also reflects on his personal evolution from hands-on operator to CEO, including the challenge of stepping away from execution and learning to lead with clarity, vision, and trust. If you're a founder, leader, or part of a scaling company, this episode offers practical insights on protecting your culture—and recovering when it starts to slip. What you’ll learn in this episode: The real impact of mergers and acquisitions on company cultureWhy transparency is essential during times of changeHow to rebuild trust after layoffs and leadership shiftsThe difference between startup culture and corporate structureTransitioning from operator to CEO mindset Key Topics:Dwelo, company culture, mergers and acquisitions, startup growth, leadership, private equity, organizational change, employee trust, business transformation, CEO mindset Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to David Beenfield and Dwelo09:00 Navigating Ownership and Role Changes15:30 Cultural Shifts After Acquisition24:15 Rebuilding Trust and Transparency30:20 Leadership Lessons as CEO36:30 Advice for Founders Facing Big Decisions Hashtags:#Dwelo #Leadership #CompanyCulture #StartupGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessTransformation #CEO #Entrepreneurship #ScalingBusiness #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessPodcast #FounderJourney

36 min
MAY 5

S02 E05 Leadership Lessons from Private Equity Transition | Matthew Wride

In this episode, Matthew Wride shares an inside look at leading DecisionWise through a major transition following a private equity acquisition. He breaks down the real challenges of scaling a business, including the hidden costs of growth, maintaining quality while expanding, and the complexities of integrating company cultures after a merger. Matthew also highlights why not all revenue is good revenue and how overextension can impact long-term success. This conversation offers valuable insights into employee engagement, organizational development, and building a strong company culture during periods of transformation. Matthew emphasizes the importance of transparency with customers, aligning with the right private equity partners, and operationalizing processes to scale effectively. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or involved in mergers and acquisitions, this episode provides practical lessons on navigating growth without losing focus or values. What you’ll learn in this episode: The impact of private equity on company growthHidden costs and risks of scaling too quicklyHow to balance growth with quality and executionChallenges of cultural integration in mergersWhy transparency and communication matter in business transformation Key Topics:DecisionWise, employee engagement, private equity, growth strategy, organizational development, merger integration, company culture, leadership, business transformation, employee experience Timestamps:00:00 Navigating Change: The Journey of DecisionWise10:39 The Impact of Private Equity on Growth17:20 Balancing Growth and Quality: The New Reality24:15 Integrating Cultures: The Challenge of Mergers27:44 Lessons Learned: Insights for Future Growth Opportunities Hashtags:#DecisionWise #PrivateEquity #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessTransformation #OrganizationalDevelopment #StartupGrowth #ScalingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast

28 min
APR 28

S02 E04 The Invisible Weight of Leadership | Joshua Christopherson

In this episode of Untold, host Jon Spiesman sits down with Joshua Christopherson, CEO of Achieve Today, to explore the hidden realities of leadership that rarely make it into press releases or boardroom summaries. Joshua shares his deeply personal journey from sales and marketing leadership roles to becoming CEO of Achieve Today, an EdTech company based in Utah that has helped more than 150,000 people in 72 countries through coaching and personal development programs. After nearly two decades with the company, Joshua Christopherson reveals the mindset shifts required to grow from an individual contributor to an executive leader responsible for the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of employees. The conversation dives into the unseen pressures of leadership, the emotional weight of running a company, and the internal battles leaders face while appearing confident on the outside. Josh Christopherson also opens up about the inspiration behind his book, CEOs and Suicide: The Invisible Game of Leadership, where he discusses the mental and emotional struggles many executives silently experience. From navigating financial crises and near-miss payroll moments to confronting loneliness at the top, this episode uncovers the inner game that every leader must face but few openly discuss. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this conversation provides powerful insights into resilience, vulnerability in leadership, and what it truly takes to carry the responsibility of leading others. Topics covered in this episode: Leadership mindset shifts from “me” to “we”The hidden emotional costs of running a companyWhy leadership can feel lonely at the topLessons from nearly 25 years in the education and coaching industryThe story behind the book CEOs and SuicideBuilding a strong workplace culture and supporting employeesFacing business crises and staying resilient as a leader About the guestJoshua Christopherson is the CEO of Achieve Today, a personal development and coaching company headquartered in Utah. With more than two decades of experience in education and leadership, Joshua Christopherson has helped scale the company into a globally recognized coaching platform while building one of the most awarded workplace cultures in the state. Hashtags #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CEOLeadership #BusinessPodcast #PersonalDevelopment #StartupLife #ExecutiveLeadership

34 min
APR 21

S02 E03 Leadership Lessons from a Defense Industry CEO | Parker Judd

In this episode of Untold, host Jon Spiesman sits down with Parker Judd, President of GMRE Incorporated, a defense and aerospace engineering firm based in Ogden, Utah. Parker shares how the company has tripled its revenue in recent years and the strategy behind scaling even further while protecting the culture that made the company successful. After spending 17 years at GMRE, Parker rose from engineer to President. In this conversation, he explains what changed when he moved from COO to the president’s chair, how leadership shifts from operations to strategy, and why culture and people must come before numbers when building a lasting company. As GMRE grows from a small business into a much larger competitor in the defense industry, Parker discusses the difficult decisions leaders must make including turning down opportunities that don’t align with the company’s long-term vision. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why culture matters more than strategy in fast-growing companies The biggest leadership shift from COO to President How GMRE plans to scale from $60M to a much larger defense contractor The challenge of maintaining a small-company culture during rapid growth How leaders define non-negotiable company values Why sometimes the best business decisions don’t maximize short-term profit The importance of customer relationships in the defense industry Parker also shares lessons about hiring, integrating new employees from large corporations, and building a culture where employees feel like part of a community rather than just a number. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or founder navigating company growth, this conversation offers valuable insights into scaling a company without losing the culture that made it successful. About Parker Judd Parker Judd is the President of GMRE Incorporated, a defense and aerospace engineering firm supporting major U.S. defense programs. After joining the company as an engineer, he spent 17 years helping build the organization before becoming President in 2024. Topics Covered Leadership transitionCompany culture and growthDefense industry business strategyScaling organizationsStartup and leadership lessonsBuilding long-term company vision Hashtags #Leadership #CompanyCulture #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DefenseIndustry #StartupLessons #BusinessPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment

36 min
APR 14

S02 E02 From Side Project to 600% Growth Startup | Justin Brach

In this episode of Untold: The Best Kept Secrets in Utah, host Jon Spiesman sits down with Justin Brach, CEO of Subcontractor Hub, to discuss how his company achieved 600% growth and continues to scale rapidly in the construction technology space. Subcontractor Hub is a platform that helps HVAC, roofing, and energy storage contractors close deals faster using AI-powered design tools, instant financing, and end-to-end project management. Justin shares how he built the first version of the platform while still working as an executive at another company—and how a lean team, strong partnerships, and relentless innovation fueled the company’s rapid growth. In this conversation, Justin breaks down what it really takes to scale a startup, the realities of being a CEO, and the hidden challenges behind hypergrowth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Subcontractor Hub achieved 600% year-over-year growth Why partnerships can outperform traditional customer acquisition The biggest mistakes founders make in their first year How AI is transforming retail construction The importance of diversification and monetization in startups The “hidden competitor” every founder should worry about What scaling a company fast actually costs Justin also shares candid insights about entrepreneurship, including the difficult early days, the pressure of making payroll, and the mindset required to build something meaningful. If you're a founder, startup builder, tech entrepreneur, or construction industry professional, this episode is packed with valuable lessons about scaling, leadership, and innovation. About Justin Brach Justin Brach is the CEO of Subcontractor Hub, a fast-growing platform focused on helping contractors scale their businesses efficiently with modern technology and AI-driven tools. Topics Covered AI in constructionStartup growth strategyFounder mindsetScaling a SaaS companyPartnership-led growthEntrepreneurship lessonsStartup leadership Subscribe for More Conversations If you enjoy conversations with innovative founders, business leaders, and entrepreneurs, make sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications. Hashtags #StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #AI #SaaS #BusinessPodcast #StartupFounder #ConstructionTech #Leadership #ScalingStartups We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold #DigitalPathology #AIInnovation #RemoteWorkCulture #MedTech #StartupLeadership #Techcyte #UntoldPodcastWithJon#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.

31 min
APR 7

SE02E01 The impact of leadership extends beyond the workplace | Dave Olsen | Untold

In this episode, Jon Spiesman sits down with Dave Olsen, co-founder and CEO of Nimbl, to explore the journey from individual contributor to effective leader. Dave shares honest insights on the challenges of transitioning from a technical role into leadership, and what it really takes to build and scale high-performing teams. The conversation dives into self-awareness, trust, and the internal mindset shifts required for both personal and organizational growth. You’ll learn how great leaders create environments where teams thrive, why stepping back can sometimes be the best move, and how believing in your own potential can unlock growth in others. What you’ll learn in this episode: The mindset shift required to move from technician to leaderHow to build and develop a strong leadership teamWhy self-awareness is critical for leadership growthHow to overcome personal limitations that hold you backThe importance of trust and empowering your teamHow to create internal security as a leaderWhy leadership growth is a continuous journeyHow great leaders inspire others to reach their potential Key insights: “I want to stretch myself.”“I can figure it out.”“I can create my own security.” This episode is perfect for founders, managers, and aspiring leaders who want to grow personally, build stronger teams, and lead with confidence in today’s fast-paced business environment. Timestamps:00:00 The Journey of Leadership Growth14:04 Building a Leadership Team21:03 Overcoming Personal Limitations27:58 Creating Security and Trust35:05 Inspiring Others to Believe Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, personal growth, and building high-performing teams. #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #TeamBuilding #SelfAwareness #BusinessGrowth #Coaching #Startups #LeadershipDevelopment We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold #DigitalPathology #AIInnovation #RemoteWorkCulture #MedTech #StartupLeadership #Techcyte #UntoldPodcastWithJon#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.

29 min
09/16/2025

SE01E23 - Ben Cahoon on Startups, Snowboarding, and Scanning Poop with AI | Ben Cahoon | Untold

Untold

47 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Welcome to the Untold podcast! Here, we're speaking with local businesses that are the best kept secrets of Utah. Find out their journey, their business challenges and tips, and hidden advice brought to light to help you with your own journey! We hope you enjoy! Please like, subscribe, and rate to never miss an episode! Jon

Creator

Jon Spiesman
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

29
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Jon Spiesman