Leadership Loading Podcast

In this episode, Jason McClaren sits down with Chez Chesak — Army veteran, travel writer, and executive director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. From nearly missing the military age cutoff to writing for Good Housekeeping, Chez shares his inspiring journey of resilience, purpose, and storytelling.Whether you're a veteran, writer, or adventurer, this episode will leave you motivated to chase your next mission — with a pen, a passport, or a purpose.🎧 Key Topics Covered:Chez's unique path to joining the military at age 34Transitioning from soldier to published travel writerBalancing leadership, family, and creative lifeHow veterans can turn their military experience into writing careersExploring the U.S. as a travel writer and finding adventure close to home🌐 Connect with Chez:Website: ChezConnects.com📣 More About the Guest:Chez is a freelance outdoor and travel writer, the Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, and President of the Society of American Travel Writers.💬 Let us know: Have you considered a creative career after service? Drop your thoughts in the comments!#MilitaryVeteran #TravelWriter #LeadershipTips #VeteranStories #OutdoorWriters #JasonMcLaren #ChezChesak #CreativeCareers #VeteransVoice

In this episode of the Leadership Loading Podcast, Jason McClaren chats with Justin Baer, the entrepreneurial mastermind behind Collars & Co. Justin shares his incredible journey from launching a nonprofit event calendar to creating Check-In Easy, which landed him a gig at Google’s holiday party. Now, with Collars & Co., he's sold over a million polos and even snagged investments from Mark Cuban and Peter Jones on Shark Tank!🔥 Key Takeaways:From Wall Street Journal to Shark Tank: How childhood business lessons shaped Justin's path.Fail Fast, Pivot Faster: The evolution from charity happenings to Check-In Easy.The TikTok Breakthrough: How a simple video skyrocketed sales to $40,000 in the first month.Leadership Insights: Why doing the hard stuff and embracing failure are critical to success.Exciting New Products: The Maverick Performance Blazer and future plans for Collars & Co.📲 Explore Colors & Co.: https://collarsandco.com/👉 Subscribe for more entrepreneurial insights and leadership tips!#Entrepreneurship #SharkTank #BusinessSuccess

🎙️ In this episode of the Leadership Loading Podcast, host Jason McClaren sits down with leadership coach and strategist Jimmy Malik. Jimmy shares his transformative journey from a high-pressure leadership role at META to becoming a leadership coach focused on a "connection-first" approach. If you're a new or seasoned leader, this episode is packed with real-world stories and tips to lead with empathy and unlock your team's full potential.

🔗 Connect with Jimmy Malik:👉 Jimmy Malik's LinkedIn & Socials (via QR code on video)👉 Website: https://www.jimmymalik.com

💡 Key Points Covered:

• Jimmy’s early leadership journey in a first-generation household

• Navigating leadership adversity at META and pivoting to a people-first approach

• The power of one-on-one connections and building psychological safety

• Coaching Gen Z and younger millennials for authentic leadership

• Real-life coaching success with nonprofit leaders

• Reframing questions to empower your team

• The shift from building high-performing teams to enabling high-functioning humans

👍 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more leadership insights!
📢 Share your leadership stories or questions in the comments below!

#Leadership #VulnerabilityInLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #JasonMcClaren #JimmyMalik #ConnectionFirstLeadership #LeadershipTips #TeamBuilding #GenZLeadership

In this episode of The Leadership Loading Podcast, host Jason McClaren chats with Shel Horowitz from Going Beyond Sustainability. Shel shares his incredible journey from grassroots activism—where he led a movement that stopped a 40-luxury-home project in just 13 months—to becoming a leading voice in green leadership and ethical business.Key Topics Covered:How Shel's "Save the Mountain" campaign sparked his career in sustainable businessThe surprising intersection of profitability and environmental/social goodWhy going green isn't just about ethics—it's also a smart business strategyTop tips for new leaders to integrate green practices in their companiesHow to engage employees in sustainability initiatives and foster innovation📚 Shel's Latest Book: Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World https://amzn.to/41BYHxk🚀 Connect with Shel Horowitz:Website: Going Beyond Sustainability https://goingbeyondsustainability.com/

💡 How can military leadership skills translate into success in the civilian world? Join us as we talk with Justin Habash, Senior VP at the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, about leadership values, military-to-civilian transitions, and how anyone can develop the courage to lead.🔗 Learn more about the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership: https://mohcenterforleadership.org/📌 Key Topics in This Episode:Justin’s journey from Army infantry officer to PhD in philosophyHow military leadership skills translate into corporate and academic successThe six core Medal of Honor values and their impact on leadershipAdvice for new leaders on building the right mindsetHow the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership helps develop future leaders🔥 Like, Comment & Subscribe for more leadership insights!

Army veteran and West Point grad Nick Padlo had a thriving business, but behind the scenes, he was struggling with addiction and mental health. In this episode of the Leadership Loading Podcast, host Jason McClaren talks with Nick about his journey from military intelligence officer to entrepreneur, battling personal demons, and ultimately founding Sophros Recovery, a treatment center helping others reclaim their lives.Key Topics Covered:✔️ How a free meal tricked Nick into joining the Army✔️ His journey through West Point, Afghanistan, and Iraq✔️ The struggles of transitioning from military to civilian life✔️ Overcoming addiction and finding purpose in recovery✔️ Why he started Sophros Recovery instead of joining an existing program✔️ Advice for veterans and entrepreneurs finding their path📢 Need Help? Reach out to Sophros Recovery:Website: https://sophrosrecovery.comContact: Call the number on their site💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from Nick’s story? Drop a comment below! ⬇️

From Teacher to Six-Figure Content CreatorIn this episode of the Leadership Loan Podcast, host Jason McClaren talks with Lolly Spindler, a content marketing expert who went from teaching English in Spain to running her own successful agency.📌 What You'll Learn:How to turn your existing skills into a profitable careerThe power of content marketing and why businesses still need itHow AI is changing writing—but not replacing real writersTips for transitioning from side hustle to full-time businessHow to travel the world while working remotely🔥 Whether you're a freelancer, aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about content creation, this episode is packed with actionable insights!Connect with Lolly:🌎 Website: LollySpindler.com💼 LinkedIn: Lolly Spindler🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership and business insights!

In this powerful episode of The Leadership Loading Podcast, host Jason McClaren is joined by Kelly Meerbott, a renowned TEDx speaker, leadership coach, and author of From Burnout to Bliss. Kelly shares her incredible journey from being laid off unexpectedly to becoming a trauma-informed leadership coach, transforming the lives of over 500 senior military leaders.🔥 Key Points Discussed:The harsh reality of TEDx talks: Kelly opens up about facing 50 rejections, bombing her dress rehearsal, and why TEDx might not be what you expect.From Corporate to Coaching: How a shocking layoff led Kelly to her true calling, helping executives and military leaders overcome burnout and trauma.Emotional Intelligence for Leaders: Essential insights on why emotional intelligence is critical for today's leaders, especially in military and high-stress environments.Lifelong Learning & PTSD Training: Kelly discusses the importance of continuous learning, her PTSD certifications, and the reality of trauma in leadership.Leadership Advice: Kelly's top tip for new leaders—focusing on making others better and ensuring lasting impact.👉 Connect with Kelly Meerbott:Website: https://kellymeerbott.comBooks: https://amzn.to/417athL🔗 Mentioned Resources:Arizona Trauma Institute: https://aztrauma.orgTEDx Talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT6-8w7HkmkDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership insights! 🚀

🔹 Want to grow your service business but don’t know where to start? Jason Noel from CEO Warrior shares expert insights on leadership, scaling, and business success in the trades industry. 🚀🔗 Learn More About CEO Warrior: https://www.ceowarrior.com📅 Upcoming Live Event - March 6-7, Nashville, TN – Find out more on their website!Key Takeaways from This Episode:✔️ The biggest challenges service business owners face when scaling✔️ Why having the right mindset is crucial for business growth✔️ The importance of leadership development in business success✔️ How CEO Warrior helps business owners build scalable systems✔️ Networking & mentorship – why they matter more than you think📧 Connect with Jason Noel: Jason@CEOWarrior.com🎧 Subscribe for More Leadership Insights! If you enjoyed this episode, give it a 👍 and hit the subscribe button for more expert advice on leadership, entrepreneurship, and business growth. 🔥#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #ServiceBusiness #CEOwarrior #BusinessGrowth #TradesIndustry