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PODCAST

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

Interviews with successful leaders and company founders sharing stories of their career journey, great leadership, and not-so-great. It will help you become a better leader while poking fun at all the crazy shit that happens in corporate America. Hosted by Jeff Pelaccio who has over 40 years of leadership experience for every t-shirt size company - Small (4 employees) to XL (over 1 million employees). Listen, learn, and laugh each week to learn from great leaders from all walks of life.

business careers

All Episodes

27:01

Mark Mears on Love at Work: Why Listening, Valuing,...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/11/07

Mark Mears is back on The Corporate Couch to talk about his brand-new book, LOVE@WORK: Creating Communities of Purpose and Belonging for Revolutionary Growth in a New World of Work. In his follow-up to The Purposeful Growth Revolution, Mark makes a bold claim: the key to transforming business isn’t strategy or systems, it’s love.Before you call HR, hear him out. Mark breaks down his new “LOVE” model for leadership: Listen graciously to build trust. Observe generously to invest in

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75:41

Why Minette Norman Believes Real Leadership Starts...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/11/03

What does leadership look like when hierarchy takes a back seat to humanity? That’s the question Minette Norman (see her bio below) has spent her career answering. As the former Vice President of Engineering Practice at Autodesk, she led more than 3,500 engineers across the globe, proving that empathy, trust, and courage can drive performance just as powerfully as process and technology. Today, as a consultant, speaker, and author, Minette helps leaders create environments where people feel safe to

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24:41

Special Edition: It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere –...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/10/29

In this eighth Special Edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Marc Shaffer and I raise a glass to reflect on his whirlwind first month after the launch of his debut book, One For All: How to Systemize Kindness, Grow Your Network, and Support Others Like It’s Your Job.We talk about what he’s learned since releasing the book, from reading his own audiobook (“harder than it sounds”) to connecting with students at KU and Mizzou and maybe even starting a friendly campus competition. Marc also shares how

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64:44

Claude Silver: Leading with Heart - How Empathy,...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/10/26

Claude Silver (see her bio below) is rewriting the rules of leadership as the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX. Reporting directly to Gary Vaynerchuk, she’s built a culture rooted in empathy, belonging, and emotional intelligence, proving that leading with heart drives both humanity and performance. In our conversation, Claude shares: The story behind her unconventional career path, from Outward Bound instructor to Gary Vee’s #2. The inspiration behind her new book, Be Yourself at

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63:41

Kristina and Matt Loftus of Rhoback: From a Camper, a...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/10/20

Kristina and Matt Loftus two of the three co-founders of Rhoback are partners in life and in business. As the first married couple to appear together on The Corporate Couch, they share how a college friendship, a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Bunker, and a camper full of polo shirts became the foundation for one of the fastest-growing activewear brands in the country.In this conversation, we cover: How Rhoback was born during business school brainstorming sessions and inspired by their high-energy

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63:51

Kelly Byrnes on Culture, Courage, and the Leadership...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/10/13

Kelly Byrnes (see her bio below) has built a career helping leaders strengthen organizations from the inside out. As the Founder and CEO of Voyage Consulting Group—and a former Chief Talent Officer, professor, and author—she’s spent decades guiding executives through the intersections of culture, leadership, and change. In this conversation, Kelly shares: The surprising lessons she learned from her improv training in Chicago (and how it helps in the boardroom). Why the best leaders still send

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86:01

Blockchain meets Wall Street at the Heartland Digital...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/10/08

In this bonus edition of The Corporate Couch, recorded live at the Heartland Digital Asset Exchange conference, we explore the intersection of blockchain and traditional finance. Join us as we delve into the insights of seven distinguished leaders in digital assets and Web3, including:- Esther George, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City - Danny Baer, Director of Wealth and Asset Management at Meanwhile - - John Squire, General Partner at Blockchange Ventures - Anthony

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58:58

From Bar Napkin to Breakthrough Logistics: Ben...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/10/06

Some companies are born in boardrooms. Others, like Bungii, start over beers at a college bar. Ben Jackson (see his bio below), co-founder and CEO of Bungii, was a college senior at Kansas State when he and a friend came up with a simple idea: “tap a button, get a truck.” Nearly a decade later, that idea has grown into a breakthrough last-mile delivery platform dubbed “DoorDash for big and bulky items.” Under Ben’s leadership, Bungii has expanded into more than 90 major U.S. metros, forged

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62:33

From Hay Bales to Boardrooms: Greg Hamann on Grit,...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/09/29

Greg Hamann’s (see his bio below) story starts on a Maine farm, stacking hay until 11 p.m. as a 12-year-old, and working in his family’s masonry and concrete business before eventually becoming CEO of a precast company. Along the way, he learned the value of hard work, humility, and the importance of thinking before acting, advice passed down from his father that still guides him today.In this conversation, Greg and I dive into: Lessons from leading a company through the 2008–2009 recession and

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23:35

Special Edition: It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere –...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/09/24

In this special edition, the spotlight is on Marc Shaffer and his debut book, One For All: How to Systemize Kindness, Grow Your Network, and Support Others Like It’s Your Job. With the official launch set for September 30, Marc shares the inspiration behind the book, the process of bringing it to life, and the lessons he hopes readers will take away.We talk about: Why relationship-building shouldn’t be an afterthought and how to make it a daily habit. The Irish proverb that captures the spirit

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68:26

Julie Kratz on Allyship, Generational Shifts, and...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/09/22

Julie Kratz’s career (see her bio below) has been defined by one central question: How can leaders create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued? After spending 12 years in Corporate America—and often feeling like she didn’t belong—Julie pivoted to build a career around allyship and inclusion. Today, she’s a leading voice on what it takes to create cultures of belonging, authoring seven books and founding International Allyship Day. In this conversation, Julie and I explore: How

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56:49

Sabina Nawaz on Pressure, Power, and the Real Work of...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/09/15

Sabina Nawaz (see her bio below) has advised leaders at the very top - Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and executives across Fortune 500 companies. But her journey wasn’t a straight line. Starting as a software developer, nearly getting fired from Microsoft, and then pivoting into leadership development, Sabina has built a career helping thousands of leaders around the world discover what it really means to lead.In our conversation, she shares: Why pressure, not power, is the real force that corrupts

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25:07

Special Edition: Michael Mackie on Celebrity...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/09/11

Michael Mackie is back on The Corporate Couch, and this time, he’s here to talk about his brand-new book, You Have 4 Minutes: My Life as an Unlikely Celebrity Interviewer. With more than three decades of encounters with Hollywood’s biggest names, Michael shares the hilarity, awkwardness, and unforgettable moments that shaped his unlikely path into entertainment journalism.We cover the accidental purple cover photo, why the book has exactly 52 chapters (hint: the B-52s), and what it was like to land

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62:09

From Job Sites to the C-Suite: Rusty Arnold on...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/09/08

Rusty Arnold’s story (see his bio below) begins with a hammer in hand at age 10 and a forklift under his control by 13. Today, as COO and soon-to-be CEO of Frontier Forest Products, Rusty has built his career from the ground up, shaping not just businesses but also the people around him. In this conversation, Rusty shares: Lessons learned from growing up on construction sites and how they shaped his work ethic. Why curiosity and a love of people have been the through-line in his career. His

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72:32

Leading Across Four Generations: Jeff Utecht on the...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/09/01

For the first time in history, four generations, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are working side by side. Jeff Utecht (see his bio below) has spent over 20 years helping leaders bridge these divides, and he brings a global perspective shaped by living in three countries, founding multiple businesses, and consulting with Fortune 500 companies. In our conversation, Jeff and I explore: How each generation views work, success, and leadership differently Why skill-based hiring is

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25:06

Special Edition: It’s 5 O'clock Somewhere – Time,...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/08/27

Six months, six happy-hour-type conversations and we’re just getting started. In this special edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Marc Shaffer and I pour a couple of beers and dive into what’s been on our minds lately:The “five types of wealth” and why time wealth may be the most overlooked. How boredom, stillness, and slowing down fuel creativity and joy. The wisdom in quotes that stick from Ryan Holiday to Seth Godin to Lao Tzu. Why it’s okay to stop “optimizing” and just enjoy the

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66:09

The Storytelling Alchemist: How Donna Griffit Turns...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/08/25

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Donna Griffit (see her bio below), world-renowned storyteller and pitch alchemist who has helped clients raise over 2 billion dollars through the power of compelling narratives. From starting her first business as a seven-year-old clown to becoming a communications coach at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, Donna shares her fascinating journey through drama therapy, corporate training, and ultimately finding her calling in the startup world during the

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17:47

Special Edition: From Business Owner to Recruiting...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/08/20

In this Special Edition (short) episode, I sit down with Jourdan Mercurio Lewis, COO of Blue Ocean Search Firm, to talk about her remarkable journey from business owner to stay-at-home mom to a new career in recruiting. Jourdan shares how she brings authenticity and consulting-style depth to an industry often known for transactional relationships. Her story highlights the courage to pivot, the value of adding humanness to work, and the lessons learned from redefining success.Along the way, Jourdan

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01:01:34

From $17K to CEO: How John Mercurio Built a Career...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/08/18

Join me as I sit down with John Mercurio (see his bio below), CEO of Blue Ocean Search Firm and a 30-year veteran of the human and animal health industries. In this candid conversation, John shares his remarkable journey from making $17,000 at Deluxe Check Printers to becoming a successful executive, all without finishing college.John opens up about the pivotal moment when someone took a chance on him despite lacking the "required" degree, launching a career that would span Fortune 500

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20:18

Special Edition: The Get-Real Mindset for Caregivers...

The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends ·

2025/08/14

In this 20-minute special edition, I welcome back my very first podcast guest, Harry Campbell (Website), for a candid and heartfelt conversation about his Get-Real Mindset for Caregivers. Harry shares the deeply personal journey of supporting his wife, Kris, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor just 10 months after their wedding. Drawing from his leadership experience and his bestselling book Get Real Mindset, Harry outlines his three-step framework, Absorb, Assess, Adjust, for facing

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186 results

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