The Savage Leader Podcast
Ep. 67: Creating Purpose by Focusing on Your Customers’ Customers
In this episode, host Darren Reinke interviews Alok Chinani, the founder and CEO of BuildOps. Alok shares his fascinating journey from the military to the business world, and the valuable lessons he learned about leadership, resilience, and building a mission-driven organization. He discusses the importance of creating a strong sense of purpose, avoiding a "playbook" mentality, and setting ambitious, “Herculean" goals to align his team.
Ep. 66: Uplifting Others through the Power of a Paycheck
In this episode, host Darren Reinke interviews Bonni Pomush, the inspiring CEO of Working Wardrobes. Bonni shares transformative stories of uplifting others and her insights on building a purpose-driven organization, the power of partnerships, and ways to create positive change. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on making a difference.
Ep. 65: Breaking Barriers as a Navy Pilot and Shifting into Tech
In this episode, host Darren Reinke interviews Karen Brasch, the Head of Business Strategy & Operations at AWS. Karen shares her remarkable journey from growing up as the daughter of an Air Force pilot to becoming a pioneering female Navy helicopter pilot. Listeners will be inspired by Karen's perseverance in overcoming doubters and breaking barriers to achieve her dreams. She also provides valuable insights on effective leadership, including empowering your team and maintaining a positive mindset. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in stories of determination and finding purpose in one’s career.
Ep. 64: Margie Newman Tsay on Building Your Reputation and Managing Crises
In this episode, Darren Reinke sits down with Margie Newman, an expert in reputation management and crisis communication. Margie discusses her journey from theater to leading a communications firm, emphasizing the importance of trust and authenticity in leadership. She provides practical advice on managing personal and corporate reputations, handling crises effectively, and maintaining a communication mindset.
Ep. 63: Jordan Justus on Automotus’ Mission to Reduce Congestion, Improve Safety, and Cut Emissions
In this episode of The Savage Leader Podcast, Darren Reinke sits down with Jordan Justus, the innovative co-founder and CEO of Automotus. Dive into the world of curb management solutions that are reshaping cities and airports worldwide. Jordan shares his journey from a $780 tradeshow test that led to the launch of his successful company. He offers powerful insights on the realities of entrepreneurship, building resilience, and developing thicker skin as an entrepreneur.
Ep. 62: Mike Kijewski's Journey from High School Physics Teacher to Medcrypt CEO
In this episode, Darren Reinke speaks with Mike Kijewski, the founder and CEO of MedCrypt. Mike discusses his journey from teaching high school physics to pioneering cybersecurity solutions for medical devices. He shares insights into his career transitions, the challenges of starting a tech company, and the impact of cybersecurity on medical technology.
Ep. 61: Michael X. Burns on Grateful Dead and Rasta Inspired Leadership
In this episode, Darren Reinke sits down with Michael Burns, a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background ranging from tech recruiting to cannabis farming. Michael shares his journey to becoming a multifaceted business leader, emphasizing the pivotal role sales has had on his career, the power of showmanship, and how the Grateful Dead's philosophy influences his approach to business.
Ep. 60: Aaron Fulkerson on Rebuilding Trust in Technology
In this episode of The Savage Leader Podcast, Darren Reinke chats with Aaron Fulkerson, CEO of Opaque Systems. Aaron discusses his transition from entrepreneurship to ServiceNow and how he's found his way back to the entrepreneurial world. He also discusses the issue of trust erosion within the technology sector and how Opaque Systems is spearheading efforts to rebuild this trust through secure application development for collaborative analytics and AI.
Ep. 59: Anthony Lee on Revolutionizing Education at Westcliff University
In this episode, Darren Reinke sits down with Anthony Lee, CEO of Westcliff University. Anthony shares his journey from childhood passions to leading a university that's making a significant impact in the education sector. They delve into the future of education, how Westcliff University is preparing students for a rapidly evolving job market, and Anthony's personal insights on entrepreneurship and leadership.
Ep. 58: How Two Army Rangers Created an Engagement Ring Company
In this episode, Darren Reinke explores the journey of entrepreneurship with Co-Founder of Wove, Andrew Wolgemuth. Andrew recounts his unique journey from West Point to becoming an Army Ranger to starting a jewelry company, highlighting why nobody should face entrepreneurship alone. He shares insights on leveraging distribution channels that help your business win, building a supportive community, and the pivotal moments that shaped Wove.
Wove is a 21st century jeweler, bringing the jewelry designer directly to couples for custom engagement ring creation.
Ep. 57: AI Expert Som Shahapurkar on the State of AI and Why Knowledge is Dead
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Som Shahapurkar, leading AI expert and founder of OzzSom AI. Som discusses the current state of AI, the importance of guardrails in preventing unintended consequences, why you should prioritize curiosity over judgement, and everything you need to know about ChatGPT, AI, and its future in society.