The Savage Leader Podcast

Ep. 62: Mike Kijewski's Journey from High School Physics Teacher to Medcrypt CEO
Growth, Lifelong Learning Darren Reinke Growth, Lifelong Learning Darren Reinke

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.

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Ep. 61: Michael X. Burns on Grateful Dead and Rasta Inspired Leadership
Growth, Lifelong Learning Darren Reinke Growth, Lifelong Learning Darren Reinke

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.

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Ep. 60: Aaron Fulkerson on Rebuilding Trust in Technology
Lifelong Learning, Growth, Innovation Darren Reinke Lifelong Learning, Growth, Innovation Darren Reinke

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.

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Ep. 59: Anthony Lee on Revolutionizing Education at Westcliff University
Lifelong Learning, Growth, Innovation Darren Reinke Lifelong Learning, Growth, Innovation Darren Reinke

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.

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Ep. 58: How Two Army Rangers Created an Engagement Ring Company
Lifelong Learning, Growth, Innovation Darren Reinke Lifelong Learning, Growth, Innovation Darren Reinke

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.

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Ep. 56: Alternate Side Co-Founder Zack Zarrillo on Building Authentic Brands in Music
Values, Perseverance, Patience Darren Reinke Values, Perseverance, Patience Darren Reinke

Ep. 56: Alternate Side Co-Founder Zack Zarrillo on Building Authentic Brands in Music

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Zack Zarrillo, the co-founder of Alternate Side, a full service music company that represents a diverse roster of platinum and gold talent with a combined catalog of over 5 Billion streams throughout alternative, rock, indie, electronic, and metal. Zack shares how he got into the music business, how he creates brands and businesses for his artists, the raging epidemic of mental health in music industry, how he got involved in the donut business, and why he tells his artists that nobody can care more about their music than they can.

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Ep. 55: Volo Beauty Co-Found​er​ Jonathan Friedman on ​Developing an Entrepreneurial Risk Profile
Values, Perseverance, Patience Darren Reinke Values, Perseverance, Patience Darren Reinke

Ep. 55: Volo Beauty Co-Found​er​ Jonathan Friedman on ​Developing an Entrepreneurial Risk Profile

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the Jonathan Friedman, Co-Founder and President of Volo Beauty, about his entrepreneurial journey. Jonathan shares insights into how he dealt with failure as an entrepreneur, how he learned to not take things personally, and how he developed a strong enough risk profile to take the entrepreneurial leap.

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Ep. 51: Supermojo CEO Amir Sarhangi On Why You Should Incorporate NFTs Within Your Business
Values, Perseverance, Communication Darren Reinke Values, Perseverance, Communication Darren Reinke

Ep. 51: Supermojo CEO Amir Sarhangi On Why You Should Incorporate NFTs Within Your Business

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the founder and CEO of Supermojo, Amir Sarhangi. Amir discusses his original spark for entrepreneurship, why conviction is the most important part of entrepreneurship, his decision to start another company after a successful exit, how he become interested in NFTs and so much more!

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Ep. 47: Black Mamba Foods CEO Claudia Castellanos on the Importance of Metrics and Accountability in Social Impact Companies
Values, Authenticity, Lifelong Learning Darren Reinke Values, Authenticity, Lifelong Learning Darren Reinke

Ep. 47: Black Mamba Foods CEO Claudia Castellanos on the Importance of Metrics and Accountability in Social Impact Companies

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Claudia Castellanos, founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods. Claudia discusses how a decision to volunteer in Africa led her to find her life’s purpose, the importance of metrics and accountability for social impact businesses, how Black Mamba Food measures their impact, and how companies can expand their influence and make a difference.

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Ep. 46: Quiverr Founder Ryan Mulvany on Turning a Side Hustle into a Scalable Company

Ep. 46: Quiverr Founder Ryan Mulvany on Turning a Side Hustle into a Scalable Company

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Ryan Mulvany, Founder and President of Quiverr. Ryan shares how he turned a side hustle into a scalable company that he eventually sold, the importance of trust in scaling critical business relationships, and how his willingness to lean into being different has helped him in both business and in life.

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Ep. 44: Author and Entrepreneur Mike Michalowitz on Eradicating Entrepreneurial Poverty

Ep. 44: Author and Entrepreneur Mike Michalowitz on Eradicating Entrepreneurial Poverty

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with business author Mike Michalowitz. Mike discusses his entrepreneurial, how he went bankrupt after starting and selling multiple successful companies, how he found his calling of eradicating entrepreneurial poverty, and why psychological ownership is the key to getting the most out of your people.

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Ep. 42: ServiceNow Impact, GM Aaron Fulkerson on The Power of Pathological Optimism and Strong Values

Ep. 42: ServiceNow Impact, GM Aaron Fulkerson on The Power of Pathological Optimism and Strong Values

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Aaron Fulkerson, a technology entrepreneur, founder of MindTouch, and a General Manager for ServiceNow. Aaron talks about his untraditional path into technology, why he thinks you should run a company like a sports team instead of a family, why generalists are less likely to be displaced by technology, and so much more!

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Ep. 40: SAINT JANE Beauty CEO Casey Georgeson on How to Create a Powerful Brand and Managing the Perception of CBD

Ep. 40: SAINT JANE Beauty CEO Casey Georgeson on How to Create a Powerful Brand and Managing the Perception of CBD

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Casey Georgeson, Founder and CEO of Saint Jane. Casey discusses how a $10,000 loan during the Great Depression started her family’s legacy of entrepreneurship, the importance of work life balance as a founder and CEO, why she feels the most successful and powerful brands are emotional, and CBD’s array of health benefits.

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