What if every failure you encountered was actually a stepping stone towards success? In this episode of "Learning the Hard Way, the Easy Way," Carlos Marin, international leadership consultant and executive coach, joins Alex to share his philosophy on the relationship between failure and success. Carlos talks about learning from his own failures and how he translates them to his work mentoring executives worldwide. Carlos and Alex unpack how resilience and the ability to manage fears can redefin...
Sep 30, 2024•52 min
Ever encountered a situation where you felt out of place because of systemic biases? Join Alex for a profound conversation with CB Bowman-Ottomanelli, a master executive coach, who shares her eye-opening experiences with corporate racism. Raised in a diverse and inclusive environment, CB was blindsided by the harsh reality of racial discrimination when she stepped into the corporate world. Through powerful narratives and personal stories, she shares how she navigated these challenges with courag...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Is there a secret to discovering our passion? Listen to Alex's conversation with Ernesto Mandowsky, the brain behind the Million Dollar Machine, who shares his incredible journey from the world of hospitality technology to entrepreneurship. Discover how Ernesto’s book, “NewBee,” helped him discover his true passion and better appreciate the experiences along the way. His unique perspective focusing on genuine aspirations over job titles is a must-hear for anyone seeking clarity in their professi...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 23
Join us on this episode of Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way, for a conversation with leadership coach and best-selling author, Rick Torrison. Rick's journey to break free from his limiting beliefs and embrace his authentic self will inspire you to question the "normal" in your own life. Rick and Alex dig into the cultural and generational influences that shape mental health and perceptions of our own behaviors. From the "stiff upper lip" mentality to the more open conversations sparked by the ...
Jun 09, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Do you ever feel like you have to do it all on your own? Entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist Markus Kaulius joins Alex in an inspiring discussion to shatter the myth of solo success and share how he learned to lean on others in this episode of Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way. Even if we know the 'lone wolf' mentality doesn't work, we don't always know where to turn to for guidance. Markus and Alex explore the cultural, generational, and personal influences that shape the relationship bet...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 21
When the reins of control slip from our grasp, it's a startling revelation that can make or break a leader. James Kaikis, a tech entrepreneur, founder, and Chief Solutions Officer sits down with Alex to share his personal evolution from a micromanager to an empowering leader in the latest episode of Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way. James opens up about critical moments that reshaped his management philosophy, like a frank critique from a company executive and a family vacation that turned int...
May 05, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Join Alex Culley in an impactful episode of "Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way," as he sits down with Dr. David L. Schreiner, President and CEO of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Illinois, and author of the bestselling book, “Be the Best Part of their Day – Supercharged Communication with Values-Driven Leadership.” Dr. Schreiner shares a profound lesson he learned the hard way: the power of gratitude in leadership. Drawing from his extensive experience in healthcare leadership and acad...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr
In this episode of "Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way," host Alex engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Ellen Leggett, an applied psychologist and pioneering trial consultant with over 35 years of experience in the field. Dr. Leggett shares a profound lesson she learned the hard way: not allowing fear to hinder personal and professional growth. Drawing from her rich background in higher education administration, consulting, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Leggett shares keen insights into ove...
Mar 03, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 18
Join host Alex in an enlightening conversation with Jim Kouzes, a world-renowned author, decorated educator, and influential thought leader in the field of leadership. With a career spanning over 50 years, Jim has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience, which he shares in this episode of "Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way." Jim shares two key lessons he learned the hard way: the importance of seizing every teachable moment and the power of storytelling to craft compelling presentations. D...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 5 min
During this episode of "Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way," host Alex sits down with the dynamic Dan Braker, President and Founder of Breakthrough Research, a Los Angeles-based market research firm. Dan brings over 25 years of experience in market research and consumer insights to the conversation, sharing his invaluable take on the indispensable role of a strong team and organizational culture to build a successful business. Dan's impressive career has solidified him as an innovative problem s...
Feb 05, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Welcome to another insightful episode of "Learning the Hard Way the Easy Way"! Join your host Alex Culley in a thought-provoking conversation with two exceptional guests—internationally acclaimed author and leadership pioneer, Ken Blanchard, and trust expert Randy Conley, who share insights from their lives and their new co-authored book, "Simple Truths of Leadership Playbook: A 52-Week Game Plan for Becoming a Trusted Servant Leader" Ken Blanchard, the founder and Chief Spiritual Officer of Bla...
Jan 22, 2024•52 min
Join Alex in a compelling conversation with Dr. Jamie Pennebaker, an internationally acclaimed social psychologist and esteemed Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Pennebaker is a pioneering figure in education and behavioral psychology who is renowned for his extensive work on the intricate relationship between language, health, and social behavior. With a distinguished career and authorship of 12 books and over 300 articles, Dr. Pennebaker's contributions...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is among the world’s foremost experts on leadership, a renowned executive coach, thought leader, and New York Times bestselling author. Marshall has been rated the world’s #1 executive coach many times over, with his clients including over 200 of the world’s most highly regarded CEOs. He is a member of the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame and the only two-time Thinkers50 #1 Leadership thinker in the world. Marshall's 52 books have sold over three million copies and been translated ...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Alex Velto is an attorney at Reno, NV-based law firm Hutchison & Steffen Attorneys where he represents unions in collective bargaining, businesses in litigation matters, and individuals in pro bono civil rights cases. He was appointed by the Mayor of Reno, NV as a Planning Commissioner for the city and serves as a Governor on the Nevada Bar Board, as well as being a Board member for the Nevada Humane Society and MATER Academy of Northern Nevada. Previously, he worked as a law clerk for the h...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Tianna Winters is the Founder of TW Media, a full-service consulting firm specializing in brand strategy, social media management, content creation, and email marketing with clients across the country that include politicians, restaurants, and manufacturers. She brings over a decade of experience as a social media expert, marketing guru, and writer and is well known for creating trusted partnerships that produce measurable increases in brand growth. Tianna joins Alex to discuss knowing your wort...
Nov 13, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Calvin Ng is a Senior Director for Talent and Organizational Development with Farmer Brothers Company. He has spent over 20 years as a Talent, Learning, and Organizational Development professional at public and private organizations across the country like Mars Inc., Pernod Ricard North America, King’s Hawaiian, and USC Auxiliary Services. Calvin specializes in developing leadership capabilities for employees at all levels through innovative instructional design and experiential learning. He ser...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Steve Bernard is the founder and Chief Executive of Bernard Global consulting firm. Previously he worked as the Executive Vice President for Global Protection Services at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he oversaw staff in 150-offices across 50-countries around the globe. Steve is a highly sought after speaker, advisor, and confidant in the areas of corporate security, crisis preparedness, cyber security, resilience, leadership, and risk mitigation. He an active advisor to the International S...
Oct 05, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 9
David Stillman is a globally admired generational expert, strategist, author, and entrepreneur. His groundbreaking research brings a wealth of insights about the challenges and opportunities of a multi-generational workplace and marketplace. David is the author of three best-selling books, “When Generations Collide”, “The M Factor: How the Millennial Generation is Rocking the Workforce”, and “Gen Z @ Work.” His courses on LinkedIn Learning on how to manage Gen Z have over 350,000 certified users...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Frank Wagner is an executive coach, leadership expert, and successful author. After starting his consulting career at the Center for Leadership Studies with the great Paul Hersey, he went on to found Stakeholder Centered Coaching Ltd., which has trained thousands of successful coaches around the globe over it's 40-year history. Frank is recognized as a leading expert in the world of coaching, receiving honors such as the top 50 Global Leadership Coach from Thinkers50, a top 20 global mentor from...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Carolina Aurora Márquez is a wellness and body positivity influencer, founder of the Caring Accountability and Mentoring (CAR) Women’s Group, motivational speaker, and truly inspirational person. Carolina starred in E! Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian season 3 where she went through a transformative experience, becoming healthier in mind, body, and spirit. Carolina holds her Master’s Degree from University of Southern California (USC) in Executive Leadership and has worked at the University fo...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Erik Antons is Chief Security Officer of Whirlpool Corporation, where he leads the physical security risk and crisis management programs for the $22.3 billion dollar enterprise of nearly 70,000 employees across more than 170 countries. Previously, he was the Vice President and Chief Security Officer of Hyatt Hotels, Manager of International Security and Executive Services for Sempra, and served his country as a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Service in the U.S. Department of State. E...
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 5
Martin Figueroa , or "Fig", is the host of The Hyperguy Motivational Podcast and a senior level leader at a large government organization. In addition to 20-years of experience in law enforcement, he holds a BA from Berkeley, Masters in Counseling Psychology, an Executive Masters in Leadership, and is currently getting his doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California (Fight on!) He’s highly decorated for his work, receiving honors such as a Nationa...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Sally Helgesen is cited in Forbes as the world’s premier expert on women’s leadership. She is an internationally best-selling author, speaker and leadership coach, who has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame and is ranked number 3 among the world’s thought leaders by Global Gurus. Sally joins Alex to discuss “learning the hard way” how important it is to take opportunities while they are there, because you don't always get a second chance. From trips with friends to missed career opp...
May 15, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Dr. Michael Atwood Mason is the CEO and Executive Director of President Lincoln’s Cottage, a historic site and museum located in Washington D.C. He is also the former Director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Michael has spent the last 30 years working as a museum professional and public folklorist identifying, documenting, and preserving different cultures around the world. Michael shares "learning the hard way" that not listening to your discomfort and avoiding tou...
Apr 21, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Chris Cappy has over thirty years of consulting, teaching, coaching, and speaking to leaders about change management, strategy execution, and cultural change in organizations. His firm, Pilot Consulting, which he founded in 1994, specializes in leadership development, action learning, executive coaching, and organizational strategy. Additionally, Chris is a published author, and you can find his book, Driving Leaders Lessons in high-performance leadership drawn from endurance racing and a foundi...
Feb 27, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 1
