Talent Magnet Institute Podcast

Connect & ask your leadership question here: Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 237How Do Leaders Turn Adversity Into Legacy? (feat. Doug Olberding & Lily Parke with Mike Sipple Jr.)In this inspiring episode of the Unconventional Leadership Podcast, Doug Olberding (CEO of Pig Works) and Lily Parke (Beechwood High School Intern, D1 commit, UK cross-country/track) join Mike Sipple Jr. to share stories of leadership, resilience, and community. From the impact of the Flying Pig Marathon on Cincinnati’s economy and culture, to Lily’s perspective as a young athlete, to overcoming personal adversity and creating legacy, this conversation highlights how unconventional leaders listen, adapt, and turn challenges into opportunities. If you’re passionate about leadership, team building, or leading with purpose in HR, human resources, and beyond—this is a must-listen.

Connect & ask your leadership question here: https://www.talentmagnet.com/contactusTake the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 236Can Unreasonable Hospitality Save Your Culture? (feat. Lee Crume & Mike Sipple Jr.)Welcome to another transformational episode of the Unconventional Leadership Podcast. In this one, Lee Crume, CEO of BE NKY, shares how Unreasonable Hospitality reshaped employee experience, innovation, and team culture in Northern Kentucky. We go deep on building an ecosystem mindset, cultivating staff voice, and designing a community‑centric strategy to attract high‑impact investment and support regional growth.What you'll learn:• How to turn hospitality lessons into leadership culture • Why “hire slow, fire fast” is more than a phrase • Transforming client and candidate touchpoints through purpose‑driven process • Designing a five‑star client experience from parking lot greetings to plant tours • The philosophy of making your leadership *o

Connect & ask your leadership question here: https://www.talentmagnet.com/contactusTake the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 235What If You Just Went For It? (feat. Emma Adkisson & Mike Sipple Jr.)Emma Adkisson shares the powerful story behind becoming CEO of a 45-year-old architecture firm...and the growth that came with it. From honoring the legacy of a dying founder to reshaping workplace culture, Emma breaks down what it means to lead with courage, clarity, and creativity. If you've ever doubted your ability to lead differently, this episode is your permission slip.

Connect & ask your leadership question here: https://www.talentmagnet.com/contactusTake the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 234THIS Is What Leaders Are Dealing With | ROUNDTABLEIn this faculty roundtable, Mike Sipple Jr. sits down with Talent Magnet Institute team members Melanie Booher, Megan Leasher, and Leighann Rechtin to unpack the single skill that separates thriving teams from stagnant ones: authentic communication. Discover practical tactics to turn meetings into meaningful dialogue, build psychological safety, and help every voice be heard. If you lead HR, manage people, or simply want to show up better at work, this episode is your playbook.

Connect & ask your leadership question here: https://www.talentmagnet.com/contactusTake the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 233How this B2B CEO Uses His Podcast to Grow a Movement (feat. Josh Lewis from the Cincinnati Podcast Studio)This crossover episode from Grow Your Podcast flips the script: Josh Lewis (Cincinnati Podcast Studio) interviews Unconventional Leadership host Mike Sipple Jr. about how a scrappy audio show became a global leadership movement. Why did it start? What’s changed? And what has he learned about leading with uncomfortable authenticity on the mic and in real life?What You’ll Learn• Origin Story: The coffee-conversation advice from mentor Dr. Janet Reid that set the tone for unscripted, human leadership dialogue.• Audio → Video Leap: Why seeing faces matters for emotional connection, and how LinkedIn + YouTube video expanded global reach.• Brand Reboot: Moving from Talent Magnet Institute to Unconventional Leadership—and why making t

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 232Is Burnout Inevitable in Leadership? (feat. Leighann Rechtin & Mike Sipple Jr.)Leighann Rechtin, TMI Senior Faculty, joins Mike Sipple Jr. to discuss sustainable leadership, emotional wellness, and redefining success for today’s professionals. From high-stakes boardrooms to personal boundaries, this episode explores how to lead with intention without sacrificing your well-being.

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 231This Failed Retiree Shares the Secret to Successful BusinessesFeeling stuck at a growth ceiling? Certified EOS® Implementer Kevin Rains explains why **removing** complexity—NOT adding more—unlocks explosive business growth. He shares how he scaled from 2 to 5 auto‑body shops, why a 2‑page strategic plan outperforms a 40‑pager, and the mindset shifts leaders need to avoid burnout and build legacy.Connect with Kevin Rains:- Kevin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrains- EOS - https://www.eosworldwide.com- Dappled Light Retreats: https://www.dappledlightadventures.com- KidStrong: https://crestviewhills.kidstrong.com- One17: https://one17foundation.com

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 230Can a Failed Kidney Spark Purpose‑Driven Leadership? (feat. Tim Hanner & Mike Sipple Jr.)Former superintendent and social‑impact entrepreneur Tim Hanner—Mike’s very first podcast guest—returns to the upgraded studio for a full‑circle conversation. In the opening moments he reminds Mike how, back in 2018, he actually interviewed the host! From that flipped‑mic memory we jump into timeless lessons on patience, gratitude, and leading whole humans at work. Discover how slowing down, building trust, and letting others shine can accelerate student‑to‑career pipelines, board engagement, and employee retention.We unpack:• Using "start slow to go big" as a scaling strategy• Turning student voice into workforce‑ready pipelines• Balancing bold vision with self‑care after a kidney transplant• Practical ways to embed empathy, gratitude, and feedback loops in any teamIf you lead people, or hope to, this conversation wi

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 229Are You Leading with Strength or Just Managing Weakness?In this insightful episode, Mike Sipple Jr. is joined by Dr. Laura Canter to discuss what it means to lead with emotional intelligence, character strengths, and radical candor. They unpack why most companies unintentionally manage to people's weaknesses instead of fostering their strengths—and how flipping that script can transform productivity and workplace culture.Laura explores how to walk the talk with authenticity, and what it looks like to build a proactive—not reactive—culture of leadership and development. She also shares powerful stories and tools from positive psychology that leaders can use to better understand themselves and support their teams in real, lasting ways.If you’ve ever wondered how to lead your team in a way that unlocks human potential, this conversation is for you.

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizConnect with us: https://www.talentmagnet.com/contactusSeason 3, Episode 228The Real Reason You Feel Burned Out! (feat. Luke Dooley & Mike Sipple Jr.)What happens when high-performing leaders feel like they’re drowning—but don’t know who to tell? In this powerful episode, Luke Dooley and Mike Sipple Jr. explore how isolation, burnout, and unspoken pressure are affecting business owners, entrepreneurs, and HR leaders alike. From the raw truth about mental health to tactical strategies for building community and sustainable leadership, this is a call to lead with self-awareness, vulnerability, and intention. Whether you’re navigating growth, grieving a personal loss, or simply wondering, “How is peace even possible?”, this conversation is for you.**MENTAL HEALTH DISCLAIMER**While the Unconventional Leadership Podcast and Talent Magnet Institute explore topics related to mental health and well-being, our content is for educational and ins

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizContact Us! https://www.talentmagnet.com/contactusSeason 3, Episode 227Is HR Ready for the AI Takeover? (feat. Kristie Dierig & Mike Sipple Jr.)Stop treating HR like a back-office cost center and start running it like the innovation engine your company needs. In this episode of the Unconventional Leadership Podcast, Talent Magnet Institute senior faculty member Kristie Dierig joins host Mike Sipple Jr. to unpack:How AI, automation, and chatbots are quietly reshaping recruiting, performance reviews, and L&D right now.The two-pronged strategy every manager can use to decide what to automate, delegate, or kill—and where the human touch still wins.Why 40 % fewer HR pros reach the C-suite (and how to buck the trend).Building an “always-learning” culture without burning out: micro-learning, peer masterminds, and practical experiments that deliver fast ROI.Real-world case studies that saved one company $1.8 million by eliminating email bu

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz⁠ ➡ ⁠https://www.talentmagnet.com/quiz⁠Is Your Communication Style Killing Your Culture?⸻Season 3, Episode 226Is Your Communication Style Killing Your Culture? (feat. Regina Russo & Mike Sipple Jr.)In this episode, Regina Russo unpacks what it really means to lead through communication. From cross-generational teams to high-stakes leadership messaging, Regina shares why most executive leaders still get it wrong—and how vulnerability, empathy, and clarity are the new leadership superpowers. Whether you’re in the C-suite or on your way there, this episode shows how to remove communication barriers, build trust, and shape culture through words.⸻

Free mini-course on Managing Anxious Thoughtshttps://www.talentmagnet.com/offers/XwrewpjcSick of Classroom Disruptions? Stop Telling Teachers to “Do More” and Try THIS (feat. Dr. Charlie Peck & Joshua Stamper & Mike Sipple Jr.)Season 3, Episode 225Students are losing thousands of instructional minutes every year to low-level infractions. In this episode of the Unconventional Leadership Podcast, Dr. Charlie Peck and Joshua Stamper unpack practical, brain-based alternatives—-from the 3-minute push-in to lightning-fast “rapid resets.” You’ll learn why “discipline” really means to teach, how to humanize teachers, and the three-tenet framework that turns fractured classrooms into connected learning communities. Perfect for principals, counselors, and K-12 educators who want evidence-based strategies without adding “one more thing” to an already packed day.

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz → https://www.talentmagnet.com/quiz“Are You Really Communicating Like a Leader?” (feat. Kathrine Nero & Mike Sipple Jr.)Season 3, Episode 224If your message isn’t landing, your audience isn’t listening—and that’s on you. In this powerhouse episode, Emmy-winning journalist and VP of Media at Game Day, Kathrine Nero, reveals the communication mistakes leaders make every day and how to fix them. From owning your voice on camera to making feedback actually stick, this conversation is your crash course in becoming the communicator your team actually wants to follow.Whether you’re leading a company, managing a team, or just trying to show up better online, this episode is packed with real-world takeaways on presence, poise, and purpose in leadership. Plus, discover why “If you talk to everyone, you’re talking to no one” might be the most important media strategy you’re ignoring.

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quiz: https://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 223: Did THIS Leadership Move Elevate a Family Business?How do you transform a multi-generational, family business for the future-without losing its soul? In this episode, Tara Halpin, CEO of Steinhauser, reveals the pivotal leadership decisions that elevated her company into a new era of growth, culture, and innovation. From investing in her executive team and state-of-the-art technology to making bold moves in people and culture, Tara shares the real, behind-the-scenes journey-including the tough choices, emotional turning points, and game-changing strategies that every business leader needs to hear. If you want to learn how to build a resilient, people-first organization that thrives for generations, this episode is for you.

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 222GROWTH Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone!DESCRIPTION:Most leaders think they’re growing—but are you stuck in your comfort zone without even realizing it? In this episode of the Unconventional Leadership Podcast, Jordan Huizenga and Mike Sipple Jr. dive into what truly drives leadership growth, the hidden traps executives fall into, how to find (and become) transformative mentors, and why organizational “seasonality” might be the secret weapon you’re ignoring. If you’re a C-suite leader, manager, or high-potential executive looking to maximize impact while building a thriving culture, you cannot miss this conversation.================================Subscribe & Listen to more content here:➡️ Web: https://www.talentmagnet.com/podcast➡️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtiiP79wCZ2ALPztpr-7XWMl7uQUFRvB➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconventional-leadership-podcast/id1378659047➡️ S

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 221Why Radical Honesty Doesn’t Always Work in Leadership (and What to Do Instead)You’ve been told honesty is the best policy—but what if your directness is doing more harm than good?In this powerful episode, Sharmili Reddy—respected executive and transformational leader—shares the mindset shifts that changed the way she leads, builds trust, and helps her team grow. From radical feedback and self-awareness to balancing empathy with accountability, this conversation is full of practical insights every leader needs to hear.If you’re a senior leader, director, or manager who’s tired of surface-level leadership talk and wants real transformation—you’ll want to watch this.

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 220Is Cincinnati the Outdoor Capital of the Midwest? (feat. Brian Bozeman & Mike Sipple Jr.)Can one city become a magnet for talent, wellness, and innovation—just by building trails?In this inspiring episode, Brian Bozeman shares how a family bike ride turned into a 60-kid mountain bike team, how the outdoors became his ministry, and why Cincinnati may be America’s best-kept secret for trail access and livability. We also dive into how outdoor recreation isn’t just good for your soul — it’s a serious strategy for business, workforce, and regional growth.If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible when leaders say yes, this one will light a fire.================================Links and Resources:• Connect with Brian Bozeman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bozeman-1797785/• Explore Cincitucky: https://cincituckytrails.com• Learn about CORA (Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance): https://coratrails.org===========================

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 219What’s Breaking Our Educators — and How Do We Fix It? (feat. Charle Peck & Mike Sipple Jr.)Are we asking too much of our educators? In this powerful episode, Charle Peck, a licensed therapist and veteran educator, reveals the hidden trauma and systemic stress that teachers face every day — and what leaders can do about it. From “emotional debt” to real-world self-care strategies, Charle and Mike Sipple Jr. dive into the truth behind burnout, mental health, and the culture shift needed to help our schools (and teachers) thrive.If you’re a school leader, superintendent, or simply someone who cares deeply about the future of education, this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.⸻

Take the FREE Self-Care Inventory Quizhttps://www.talentmagnet.com/quizSeason 3, Episode 218How to Build a High-Performing Team That Actually TRUSTS You (feat. Sweta Joshi & Mike Sipple Jr.)Sweta Joshi shares a powerful perspective on feedback, inspired by her father’s wisdom. She discusses how shifting our mindset around feedback—seeing it as a belief in our potential rather than criticism—can transform personal and professional growth.