Surfacing Leaders

At 12, Sarah Furness watched Top Gun and decided she’d be a pilot. Then she was told her arms were too short. She found a way in anyway and went on to fly helicopters for 21 years in the Royal Air Force. In this episode, Sarah and Marc talk about the day she lost her confidence in fast jet training, the night in Kenya she had to abort a rescue mission in a snowstorm, and what a boss’s simple admission taught her about trust. She shares her “Practice Scared” framework, why the debrief may be the most underused tool in business, and why she believes courage is something we’re born with and have to keep relearning. If you lead a team, or you’re about to, this one will make you rethink how you handle pressure.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Joe Bert, founder, Chairman, and CEO of Certified Financial Group, Inc., a Central Florida wealth management firm that now manages about $3.5 billion and was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. CFG is also a Lead With Purpose client. A CFP® professional, former President and Chairman of the Financial Planning Association's Orlando Chapter, and longtime host of the On the Money! radio show, Joe is known to many as the "Oracle of Orlando." He brings a rare perspective on what it takes to build a firm, and a reputation, that lasts for five decades. Joe shares how growing up around his entrepreneurial father in Cleveland, and later helping launch a frozen food company that was acquired by Heinz, gave him a taste for building something of his own. After moving to Orlando in the mid-1970s, he realized that even with a business education, his own finances were "a collection of financial accidents," and he saw a gap in the market for real financial planning. He explains why honesty and integrity come first in every relationship, why listening and asking good questions build more trust than talking, and why he has learned to "keep your mouth shut" until he has heard every point of view. Marc and Joe also dig into how working with Lead With Purpose helped CFG restructure as a larger company, set up daily huddles and quarterly and annual goals, plan for succession, and free Joe to work on the company instead of in it. Joe also explains how CFG now hires for culture and uses the platform's recognitions, celebrated at all-hands meetings, to keep their team engaged. The conversation also covers how Joe leads through market volatility, including his belief that his team members are "as much behavioral managers as we are money managers," why CFG's phones don't ring off the hook when the market drops, and his reminder that "anybody can sail a ship when the sea is calm." He also shares his hopes and concerns for young leaders, his excitement and caution about AI, and the people he has watched surface as leaders inside CFG, including Aaron, his colleague of 18 years who now serves as president. The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders: Lead with honesty and integrity. People can tell right away when you're not being genuine. Listen more than you talk. Ask questions that draw people out instead of jumping in with your opinion. Know what you're not good at. Surround yourself with people who fill those gaps, and welcome their challenges. Hold a steady course in rough seas. Fear spreads, but so does confidence. Take care of your physical and mental health. You can't lead well if you aren't well yourself. Join us in this episode to hear how a career spanning nearly 50 years in financial planning, broadcasting, and community service all points back to the same lesson: lasting leadership is built on trust, culture, and a steady hand when it matters most. Connect with Joe Bert: Website: Certified Financial Group LinkedIn: Joe Bert

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with M.K. Palmore, founder and CEO of Apogee Global RMS, who advises boards and executive leaders on cybersecurity strategy, operational resilience, and leadership development. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Marine Corps officer, and 22-year FBI special agent who later held executive security roles at Google and Palo Alto Networks, MK brings a rare, layered perspective on leading through high-stakes, high-uncertainty environments. MK shares how leading FBI SWAT operations and large-scale cyber investigations taught him that accountability starts with reflecting honestly on your own shortcomings, and why he still journals today, both digitally and by hand, to process what he's learned. He introduces his concept of "zone leadership," the idea that leaders show up differently depending on everything else going on in their lives, and why pretending you can fully separate your personal and professional selves does a disservice to both. Marc and MK also dig into why MK believes cybersecurity is fundamentally a leadership problem, not a technology problem, and why the best leaders he's worked with lead with people first, trusting that a people-centered approach gets a team to mission success rather than the other way around. The conversation also covers the shifting nature of the "battlefield" in a cloud-based world, a firsthand account of running down the Yahoo breach investigation and what it revealed about nation-states outsourcing to criminal hackers, and MK's candid take on how AI is compressing team sizes and reshaping entry-level career paths in cybersecurity and beyond. The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders: Build in real time for reflection. Block it on your calendar like any other priority. Lead people first. Mission accomplishment follows from that, not the other way around. Take the focus off your own advancement. The best leaders often aren't chasing the next title. Prioritize risk based on your actual environment. You can't defend against everything at once. Concentrate on the people around you, not on yourself. Join us in this episode to hear how a career spanning the Marine Corps, the FBI, and Silicon Valley cybersecurity leadership all points back to the same lesson: the technology will keep changing, but leadership is still about people. Connect with M.K. Palmore: Website: apogee-global-rms.io LinkedIn: MK Palmore on LinkedIn

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Hanna Bauer, founder of Heartnomics, for a conversation about what it means to lead from a place of true alignment. Diagnosed with a terminal heart disease at age four, Hanna spent five years of her childhood living in a hospital and became the first child to undergo an experimental heart procedure that doctors hadn't yet proven would work. Two decades later, she learned it had gone on to save over 3,000 children — a discovery that shaped the leadership philosophy she now teaches. Hanna shares how growing up managing an unpredictable heart condition taught her to read the difference between good stress and bad stress, and why she believes leaders can't give their teams an alignment they haven't found in themselves first. She introduces her BEAT method (Believe, Engage, Act, Transform) as a daily practice for internal alignment that leads to external execution, and explains why burnout is almost never a workload problem, it's a misalignment problem. Marc and Hanna also explore how chaos actually operates inside organizations. Hanna uses the image of a ship in water to explain that external pressure only becomes dangerous once it gets inside a team, and she walks through why leaders need practiced moments of slowing down, not just bursts of speed, to stay agile under pressure. The conversation turns personal as Hanna shares how she once viewed her heart-surgery scar as a symbol of failure, until a shift in perspective helped her see it instead as the process that led to real innovation. The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders: Build in daily moments of reflection, even if it's only a few minutes. Get ready for pressure before it arrives instead of scrambling in the moment. Know your own signals so you can tell the difference between good stress and bad stress. Reframe your setbacks. What looks like failure may be the process behind your next breakthrough. Join us in this episode to discover why the most sustainable leadership starts with alignment, and why the hardest chapters of our stories often become the foundation for how we lead. Connect with Hanna Bauer: Website: heartnomics.com LinkedIn: Hanna Bauer on LinkedIn    

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Borja Cuan, co-founder of Four15 Digital and a performance marketing leader with nearly three decades of experience. They explore what it takes to build a high-performing organization while keeping people at the center of leadership. Borja shares lessons from his career and the evolution of Four15 Digital, including one of his biggest leadership realizations: putting clients first can come at a cost when it means putting employees second. He discusses why strong relationships, meaningful communication, and genuinely understanding the people you lead are essential to creating loyalty and long-term success. Marc and Borja also explore the relationship between discipline and freedom. Borja explains how clear systems, consistent routines, and strong processes can help people perform at a higher level, while Marc shares how discipline creates the boundaries that allow teams to operate confidently when circumstances become uncertain. The conversation also tackles the changing workplace, from remote and hybrid work to developing younger employees, managing stress, hiring for attitude and coachability, and creating meaningful human connection in an increasingly digital world. Borja emphasizes that leadership doesn't need to be complicated. It requires leaders to make time for their people, understand what matters to them, and demonstrate through their actions that they genuinely care. The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders: Prioritize your people. Build relationships beyond the work itself. Use discipline and systems to create greater freedom. Hire for attitude, mindset, work ethic, and coachability. Stay connected to what is happening on the front lines. Join us in this episode to discover why some of the most powerful leadership practices are also the simplest, and how putting people first can create stronger teams, greater loyalty, and better business outcomes. Connect with Borja Cuan: LinkedIn: Borja Cuan on LinkedIn Four15 Digital: four15digital.com

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with performance coach, endurance athlete, and founder of the Run With Christ Blueprint, Chris Avery, for a powerful conversation about resilience, faith, and the leadership that emerges through consistent action. Chris shares his remarkable journey from childhood trauma, addiction, and despair to becoming a man driven by purpose—one mile at a time. What began as a simple commitment to run one mile a day has grown into more than 1,500 consecutive days of running and an ambitious mission to run 50 kilometers every day for a year around the perimeter of the United States. Throughout the conversation, Chris explains why extraordinary leadership isn't built through extraordinary moments, but through ordinary actions repeated with consistency. He explores the importance of grace, simplifying difficult goals, embracing discomfort as a path to growth, and finding strength through faith and community. Marc and Chris also discuss the unique challenges facing men today, the power of keeping promises to yourself, and why true resilience is built one small victory at a time. The episode concludes with actionable advice for aspiring leaders: Start smaller than you think you need to. Keep the promises you make to yourself. Extend yourself grace while maintaining high standards. Don't give up—growth happens one step at a time. Join us for an inspiring conversation that reminds us leadership isn't reserved for the extraordinary. It's forged in the daily decisions to keep moving forward, even when the path is difficult. Connect with Chris Avery: Website: https://chrisrunsamerica.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisaverycoaching

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, to explore the intersection of innovation, leadership, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. From immigrating to the United States from India to deploying robotics at Ground Zero after 9/11 and leading breakthrough technologies that challenge decades-old industries, Hiten shares the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. Together, Marc and Hiten discuss why the best leaders intentionally seek discomfort, how psychological safety fuels innovation, and why great organizations thrive when leaders empower their teams rather than control them. Hiten also shares lessons from scaling products at iRobot, commercializing new technologies, and leading a startup that's reimagining industrial machinery through sustainable alternatives to traditional hydraulics. Listeners will gain practical insights into navigating conflict, building high-performing teams, embracing continuous learning, and balancing innovation with disciplined execution. Whether you're leading a startup, a large organization, or simply looking to grow as a leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on turning challenges into opportunities for lasting impact. The episode concludes with actionable advice for aspiring leaders: Put yourself in uncomfortable situations that stretch your abilities. Create an environment where mistakes become opportunities for learning. Commit to continuous learning and remain flexible as the world changes. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, innovation, and the leadership mindset required to build both breakthrough technologies and exceptional teams. Connect with Hiten Sonpal: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiten-sonpal/ Rise Robotics: https://www.riserobotics.com

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Dr. Ashley Markovic, board-certified clinical psychologist, former U.S. Navy officer, and expert in military psychology, to explore what truly builds resilient leaders in high-pressure environments. Drawing on her years supporting submarine crews, recruits, and veterans, Dr. Markovic shares powerful insights into the psychology behind trust, emotional intelligence, and sustained high performance. Together, they examine why the most effective leaders aren't simply the smartest or toughest—they're the ones who earn trust through empathy, humility, and genuine human connection. Dr. Markovic reflects on her experiences working alongside submarine commanders and enlisted sailors, revealing how psychological readiness, resilience, and purpose shape decision-making when the stakes couldn't be higher. Listeners will discover practical lessons that apply far beyond the military, including how leaders can build stronger teams by empowering others, creating psychological safety, and embracing stress as a catalyst for growth rather than something to avoid. Marc and Ashley also discuss the importance of leadership development, the evolving role of mental health in elite organizations, and why purpose remains one of the greatest drivers of resilience. The episode concludes with actionable advice for aspiring leaders: Lead with humility and self-awareness. Build trust one interaction at a time. View stress and adversity as opportunities to grow. Join us for this compelling conversation and discover how the lessons learned beneath the surface can help you become a stronger, more resilient leader in any environment. Connect with Dr. Ashley Markovic: LinkedIn: [email protected]

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Ryan Berman, corporate fear fighter, founder of Courageous, and author of Return on Courage. Together, they explore why courage is one of the most important leadership skills in today's rapidly changing world and how leaders can move beyond fear to create meaningful impact. Ryan shares the journey that led him from the advertising world to building a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations embrace courageous leadership. Drawing from years of research and conversations with astronauts, Navy SEALs, business leaders, psychologists, and innovators, he introduces his framework for courage: knowledge, faith, and action. He explains why courage is not recklessness, why clarity is the foundation of courageous leadership, and how organizations can create cultures where people are willing to take smart risks and learn from failure. Listeners will gain valuable insights from Ryan's experiences working with global brands and leadership teams, including practical lessons on overcoming fear, prioritizing what matters most, and building the confidence to navigate uncertainty. He also shares powerful stories about leadership, parenting, and personal growth, demonstrating that courage is not reserved for extraordinary moments but is built through small, intentional actions every day. The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders: Create clarity around what matters most. Treat challenges as experiments and learning opportunities. Take action even when you don't have all the answers. Join us in this episode to discover how courage can become a competitive advantage in leadership, business, and life, and learn practical ways to strengthen your own courage muscle. Guest Links: Website: https://ryanberman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bravewhatshard/ Courageous Podcast: https://ryanberman.com/courageous-podcast/ Book – Return on Courage: https://www.returnoncourage.com/

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Dr. Apollo Emeka, decision-making expert, entrepreneur, former FBI intelligence analyst, and U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret. Together, they explore the power of decisions and how a single choice can alter the course of a life, career, or organization. Apollo shares his remarkable journey from leaving traditional school after fourth grade to earning a doctorate, serving in military intelligence and Special Forces, working for the FBI, and ultimately helping leaders make better decisions in high-stakes environments. Drawing from his unique experiences, he explains why intellectual courage is one of the most important leadership skills in today's increasingly complex and uncertain world. Throughout the conversation, Marc and Apollo discuss the challenges leaders face when navigating ambiguity, making decisions without complete information, and creating clarity for their teams. Apollo introduces his Complete Decision Protocol, a practical framework that helps leaders identify what truly matters, avoid critical mistakes, and move forward with confidence. The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders: Develop the intellectual courage to face uncertainty head-on. Focus on the decisions that create momentum and eliminate distractions. Create clarity for your team while empowering them to shape the path forward. Join us for an inspiring conversation about leadership, decision-making, and the choices that shape our lives. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or navigating a personal crossroads, this episode offers valuable insights to help you make your next big decision with confidence. Connect with Dr. Apollo Emeka: Website: https://www.apolloemeka.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apolloemeka YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@apolloemeka Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apolloemeka