The Savage Leader Podcast
Ep. 48: Mitchell Thorp Foundation Co-Founder Beth Thorp on Transforming Grief into Purpose
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Beth Thorp, co-founder and executive director of the Mitchell Thorp Foundation. Beth discuss how losing her son to a mysterious illness led her and her husband to starting the Mitchell Thorp Foundation, how they harnessed their grief and turned it into purpose, the positive impact their foundation has had on kids with life threatening illnesses, their families, and their communities and so much more!
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.
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.
Ep. 45: Ziksana Consulting President Akshay Sateesh on the Importance of “Play” in the Workplace
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Akshay Sateesh, president of Ziksana Consulting. Akshay discusses how going to school in Malaysia with kids from over 100 different countries equipped him with values of curiosity and adaptability, how improv inspired a career change, and the importance of bringing "play" into the workplace.
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.
Ep. 43: Sports Agent and Best Selling Author Leigh Steinberg on Why You Need to Practice Being More Present
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Leigh Steinberg, a premiere sports agent, author, and philanthropist. Leigh discusses the skillsets learned from negotiating with Ronald Reagan, his journey to becoming a successful sports agents, the importance of strong values, and why you should go to a planetarium if you need perspective.
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!
Ep. 41: Former Breg CEO Brad Lee on Why You Should Lean Into Your Fears
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Brad Lee, former president and CEO of Breg. Brad discusses his interest in engineering from an early age, the “Aha” moment that led him on his journey to becoming a CEO, the most important lessons he learned from leaning into his fears, and so much more!
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.
Ep. 39: Oklahoma City Thunder TV Play by Play Announcer Chris Fisher on the Importance of Curiosity and Versatility
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Chris Fisher, the Oklahoma Thunder’s play by play announcer. Chris discusses how his passion for sports started at an early age, why his first job taught him the importance of hard work and embracing the “grind”, why versatility is a critical component in achieving success, and so much more.
Ep. 38: Serial Entrepreneur Sanjit Singh on Developing a Startup Mindset
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Sanjit Singh, a serial entrepreneur who has launched several tech start-ups and had two successful exits. Sanjit discusses the art of the pivot, why you should create playbooks for your organization, how your business can thrive by adopting a startup mindset, and so much more.
Ep. 37: Prolific Prep Basketball Coach Billy McKnight on How to Create Team Chemistry with a Team of Top Players
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Billy McKnight, head basketball coach at Prolific Prep. Billy shares his journey to becoming a professional coach, how he creates team chemistry with a team of uber achievers, the impact of NIL on athletic development, preparing high school kids for college and the NBA, and much more.
Ep. 36: Talent Development Expert Rae Tanner on Why You Should Promote Psychological Safety
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with talent development expert, Rae Tanner. Rae talks about psychological safety and the critical role it plays in driving employee engagement, how you can reshape your current corporate culture, tips companies can use to thrive in a work from home and hybrid work environment, the importance of authentically connecting with your employees, and so much more!
Ep. 35: Dynam.AI CEO Diana Shapiro on Why Your Organization Will Benefit from Adopting AI
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Diana Shapiro, CEO of Dynam.AI. Dianna discusses her journey from selling gym memberships to selling on Wall Street to becoming a CEO. She covers why sales in the lifeblood of any company, what CEOs and Chief Revenue Officers can learn from each other, the power of artificial intelligence in today’s world, and why adopting AI can enhance your business.
Dynam.AI is a next-generation AI software developer with patent-pending decision support technology; customizable solutions for anomaly detection, process optimization, and real-time tracking.
Ep. 34: Serial Entrepreneur Brian Reese on Using Vulnerability as Your Greatest Strength
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the founder and CEO of VA Claims Insider. Brian talks about how going public with his PTSD led him to start his company, what brokenness is and how it can serve you, and the importance of community as a leader and its role in sustaining a movement.
VA Claims Insider serves disabled military veterans by helping them get the VA disability benefits they deserve.
Ep. 33: Former Professional X Games Skier and Speaker, Jamie MoCrazy on Overcoming Adversity and Finding Your Alternative Peak
In this episode, Darren Reinke Chats with Jamie MoCrazy, former professional skier and keynote speaker. Jamie discusses the traumatic ski accident that almost killed her, how she continually overcame daily challenges associated with her recovery, how she and her foundation are helping others uncover their alternative peak post brain injury, and so much more.
Jamie MoCrazy is a keynote speaker and resilience advocate. She tells her unique stories to help the audience understand how to be resilient when encountering crises. She has delivered motivational keynotes to corporations, associations, entrepreneurs, and medical school/university groups. She also partners with Traumatic Brain Injury nonprofits to run campaigns and programs for caregivers and survivors.
Ep. 32: Questionologist, Author, and Speaker Warren Berger on Why Leaders Need to Ask More Questions
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with author and speaker Warren Berger. Warren discusses the power of questioning, how curiosity and questioning are linked, why you and your leadership team need to slow your pace to ask more questions, and so much more.
Warren is a speaker and author specializing in questioning, innovation, creativity, design, the media, advertising, and general business. Some of his books include The Book Of Beautiful Questions: The Powerful Questions That Will Help You Decide, Create, Connect, and Lead and the bestselling A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas. He is also a co-author of other books and writer of articles for consumer magazines and newspapers including Wired, Fast Company, and The New York Times.
Ep. 31: San Diego Food Bank Chairman Steve Bernstein on Giving Back and Addressing Food Insecurity In America
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Steve Bernstein, Chairman of the Board for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Steve discusses why you need to help yourself before you can help others, the huge prevalence of food insecurity across the country, and why you should get your kids involved in philanthropy at an early age.
Ep. 30: Old Navy Co-Founder and Board Member Jenny Ming on Why Strong Brands Focus on Their People
In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Jenny Ming, Iconic Brand Builder, Experienced Board of Director and CEO. Jenny discusses how she developed her authentic leadership style, why she never viewed joining Old Navy as a risk, why an organization’s people are their most important asset, and so much more!
Ep. 29: Commsafe AI CEO and Former Navy SEAL Ty Smith on Managing Conflict and Toxic Communication
In this episode, Darren Reinke Chats with Ty Smith, Founder and CEO of CommSafe AI. Ty discusses the significant impact bullying had on his childhood, how the Navy SEAL teams gave him the skillsets needed to thrive as a tech entrepreneur, and why toxic communication is costing companies money and what leaders can do to stop it.