[Top Agency Series] How Great Leaders Build Trust, Teams, and Timeless Brands

John Corcoran is the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that helps B2B businesses connect with ideal clients and partners through done-for-you podcasting and content marketing. Chris Dreyer is the Founder and CEO of Rankings.io, an SEO agency specializing in helping personal injury law firms dominate organic search. Larry Benet is the CEO and Chief Connector of Larry Benet Agency, which helps leaders and organizations grow through strategic relationship-building and influence marketing. Ed O’Keefe is CEO of EOK Media – OfferWingman and Founder of Dentist Profits.AI, companies that help entrepreneurs and dental professionals scale through smart offers, media, and AI-driven growth strategies. Thad Winston is a business connector and consultant at True Scale Marketing, where he helps small- to medium-sized businesses grow through relationship-driven strategies and consultative guidance. Mark Hiddleson is the Owner of Specialized Storage Solutions, a company providing innovative warehouse design and material handling systems to improve operational efficiency. Jason Ciment is the CEO of Get Visible, a digital marketing agency helping brands expand their online presence through SEO, paid ads, and web development. Nicholas Loise is the Founder of Your Sales Recruiter and Sales Performance Team, organizations that help businesses grow revenue through high-performance sales recruiting and coaching. Duncan Alney is the Founder and CEO of Firebelly Marketing, an award-winning social media agency helping brands grow through community-driven engagement. Mat Zalk is the Owner of Keyrenter Property Management, a property management company specializing in efficient, scalable systems for real estate investors. In this episode… The best leaders don’t just manage; they connect. They inspire trust, create belonging, and build brands that endure because they put people at the center of everything. What happens when great minds from across industries come together to share how real connection drives success? From marketing visionaries to business strategists and community builders, this conversation dives into the power of relationships as the foundation of leadership and brand growth. Through stories of risk, resilience, and reinvention, the guests reveal how empathy, communication, and authenticity shape not only strong teams but also companies that stand the test of time. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz is joined by John Corcoran, Chris Dreyer, Larry Benet, Ed O’Keefe, Thad Winston, Mark Hiddleson, Jason Ciment, Nicholas Loise, Duncan Alney, and Mat Zalk to discuss how great leaders build trust, teams, and timeless brands. They explore the role of generosity in networking, the importance of purpose-driven culture, and how connection fuels long-term growth.

Chad Rubin is the Founder and CEO of Profasee, a dynamic pricing platform enabling brands to predict the optimum price for every product. He has built several successful companies, including the Prosper Show, Think Crucial, and Skubana, which was acquired by 3PL Central. As a speaker and world-class Amazon expert, Chad gives presentations about e-commerce, SaaS, and Amazon at global conferences and webinars. He is also the co-author of the Amazon bestseller Cheaper Easier Direct.  Jason Swenk is the Founder of Agency Mastery 360, a company dedicated to helping digital agency owners grow and scale their businesses. With over 20 years in the agency space, he has built and sold his agency, and he now leverages his experience working with brands like AT&T, Hitachi, and Lotus Cars to mentor other agencies. In addition to hosting the Smart Agency Masterclass podcast, the #1 podcast for digital marketing agency owners, Jason has developed a framework for growing agencies from nothing to eight figures. His unique perspective, shaped by his extensive experience and monthly interaction with over 100 agencies, provides valuable insights into navigating market disruptions and achieving sustained growth. Todd Taskey is a Partner at Tower Partners and an M&A advisor at Potomac Business Capital. He has been an entrepreneur, business owner, investment banker, and business finance advisor for more than 20 years. In addition to providing M&A advice, Todd has been a founding investor, board member, or part of the management team of several business ventures. He helps CEOs and entrepreneurs develop a successful exit strategy through his knowledge of the mid-market investment banking process. In this episode… The pursuit of success often hides a quieter struggle — the constant tug-of-war between ambition, attention, and alignment. Entrepreneurs chase growth, yet time, focus, and meaningful connection remain their scarcest resources. What if the real edge in business isn’t doing more but refining how we think, learn, and connect? Chad Rubin, Jason Swenk, and Todd Taskey reveal the books, tools, and habits that keep them grounded while driving exponential growth. Chad credits The 4-Hour Workweek, Atomic Habits, and Lost and Founder for reshaping his view of time and leadership — and shares how AI tools like WisprFlow and Readwise help him communicate faster and retain key lessons. Jason points to Giftology and Never Lose a Client Again as blueprints for loyalty, pairing them with Trello’s visual workflow to stay organized and creative. Todd highlights the Same as Ever and The Psychology of Money as reminders that human behavior never changes, pairing wisdom with everyday apps like Maps and Genius Scan to keep life simple and efficient. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks with Chad Rubin, Jason Swenk, and Todd Taskey about the books, podcasts, and tools that shape their leadership and innovation. They discuss lessons from entrepreneurship, the power of AI for productivity, and how continuous learning and curiosity fuel lasting success.

Barry Kleiman is the Founder, Executive Mentor, and Workshop Leader at Barry C. Kleiman & Associates, a firm he established in 1979 to help executives and teams elevate performance through leadership development and coaching. With over four decades of experience, Barry has guided leaders across industries in improving communication, alignment, and results. He is the author of The Playground Principles™: Why Connection Still Matters, a book that draws on stories from leaders and athletes to explore lessons on trust, consistency, and connection.  Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, a company that specializes in helping businesses grow and scale with Facebook and Instagram ads. He is also the host of The Truth About Social Ads, where he interviews guests from all corners of the digital marketing landscape. Before founding his company in 2016, Jason spent 14 years in uniform with the LAPD and later started a side gig helping people with their online traffic, advertising, and Facebook ads, which became his core business. He then left the police department permanently to focus on Spotlight Social Advertising. Zach Wilcox is the Founder and CEO of Fide Freight, a representative logistics solution providing a full range of services in long and short-distance freight, specialty haulage, and management of dry freights. Zach and his team pride themselves on complete transparency and communication, from bringing on a client to getting the shipments completed on time. Before founding Fide Freight, Zach held project management, operations, and manufacturing roles across different companies. He has a business degree from Grand Valley State University. Ian Garlic is the Founder of Garlic Marketing, the brand behind Video Case Story, where they help brands with the strategy and goals for video case stories. Ian is also the Founder of StoryCrews, a company that helps businesses connect with top-rated videographers and market and expand their brand through powerful stories captured on video. He hosts the Garlic Marketing Show podcast and has featured amazing guests such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Neil Patel, Ryan Deiss, and many more. In this episode… What do successful leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators all have in common? They’re constantly seeking tools and ideas that help them connect better — with others, their teams, and themselves. But in a world of endless options, how do you know which books, podcasts, or habits actually move the needle? For today’s guests, the answer starts with curiosity and connection. They share how leadership lessons from sports, creativity, and business mentorship continue to shape their personal and professional growth. From refining time management to building resilience and embracing storytelling, each guest emphasizes the importance of learning from experience and surrounding yourself with inspiration that drives both action and reflection. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks with Barry Kleiman, Jason Smith, Zach Wilcox, and Ian Garlic about the books, podcasts, and tools that influence how they lead and live. They discuss how reading fuels creativity, why discipline and mindset are essential to growth, and how digital tools can help organize ideas and inspire innovation.

Dr. Dave Jones is the Founder of M is Good, one of the world’s largest Christian marketing agencies, and creator of the R7 Process for vision-centered communication. A former pro hockey player turned sport and performance psychology consultant, he has coached elite NHL and NFL athletes for over 20 years while leading an agency that has served hundreds of clients worldwide. Author of Vision Wins: 7 Strategies for Mental Toughness in Life and Sports, Dr. Jones is passionate about faith-driven leadership, peak performance, and helping others turn setbacks into vision-fueled success. In this episode… Setbacks in business and sports can stall momentum and erode confidence, while hidden barriers such as fear, lust, anger, and pride can quietly sabotage progress. Vision blurs, emotions take over, and resilience fades. But can mental toughness tools and clear vision turn valleys into stepping stones — and help leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs thrive under pressure? Dr. Dave Jones shares how setbacks in business and hockey shaped his approach to vision-centered communication and mental resilience. He introduces his R7 Process for clarifying vision and strategy, addresses the “FLAP” factors — fear, lust, anger, and pride — that sabotage success, and offers practical tools, like the “reload” technique and affirmations. Drawing parallels between sports and business, he highlights the importance of self-awareness, coachability, and preparation for inevitable challenges. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks with Dr. Dave Jones about unlocking peak performance and resilience in life and business. Dr. Jones shares his R7 framework and mental toughness tools used by elite athletes to manage stress, reframe setbacks, and stay goal-focused. They also explore mentorship, emotional intelligence, and putting others first — offering mindset shifts for leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs alike.

Collin Stewart is the Founder and CEO of Predictable Revenue, a sales outsourcing company that helps B2B businesses build repeatable, scalable sales development teams. Under his leadership, Predictable Revenue has become a recognized leader in sales consulting, delivering over 10,000 booked meetings and scaling outbound sales for more than 55 companies. Recognized for his data-driven, practical approach to solving sales challenges, Collin also hosts the Predictable Revenue podcast, which boasts over 400 episodes.  In this episode… Rushing to scale before confirming real market demand is a common startup trap. Founders may hire sales leaders too soon, invest heavily in marketing, and burn through cash without a proven customer pull. How can entrepreneurs mitigate this risk and develop a sales process that truly meets customer needs? Collin Stewart, an expert in outbound sales and customer development, learned this lesson firsthand. In his early ventures, he invested heavily in building tools without confirming that buyers cared, which cost him years of effort. Over time, Collin discovered that the key was starting with customer development interviews, asking the right questions, and carefully transitioning from learning conversations into sales. He now advises founders to validate product-market fit themselves before handing sales off, to avoid what he calls “founder suicide.” In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Collin Stewart, Founder and CEO of Predictable Revenue, about bridging the gap between customer development and sales. Collin shares why premature scaling is a startup killer, his framework for running effective customer interviews, and lessons from working with companies like Uber. He also discusses best practices for cold email deliverability, targeting strategies, and his favorite tools for modern sales teams.

Alex Natskovich is the Founder and CEO of MEV, LLC, a technology services firm that builds custom software and modernizes digital systems for life sciences, real estate, and pharma companies. With over 20 years in software engineering, he has led 200+ projects across diverse industries and specializes in distributed systems, cloud computing, and large-scale data processing. Under his leadership, MEV has delivered major projects for clients such as Cartier, Novo Nordisk, and Daiichi Sankyo. In this episode… Surviving economic chaos can forge an entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in uncertainty. What lessons can be drawn from growing up in a place where scarcity and improvisation are part of daily life, and how do those lessons translate into building successful teams and technology today? Alex Natskovich, a veteran software engineer and product leader, believes resilience and resourcefulness are the foundation of innovation. He shares how early hardships taught him to adapt quickly, think creatively, and focus on core values when hiring talent. From avoiding common product pitfalls, like untested assumptions and weak data privacy, to embracing AI tools such as GitHub Copilot and Fireflies for smarter development, his insights reveal how to build scalable, market-ready products. These experiences underscore the importance of aligning strategy, technology, and culture to win in competitive markets. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Alex Natskovich, Founder and CEO of MEV, to discuss how early-life resilience shaped his leadership in software development. He explores hiring based on core values over technical skills, lessons from guiding Hawaii Information Service’s MLS platform overhaul, and the impact of AI on client expectations and product development.

Dr. Jeremy Weisz is the Co-founder of Rise25 Media, a company that helps B2B business owners connect with their ideal prospects, referral partners, and strategic partners through a done-for-you podcast service. Dr. Weisz has been involved in podcasting for 11 years and was a senior producer for early business podcasts. He helped put all of their systems in place and helped them add volume, features, and edify various business leaders. Dr. Weisz has also been running his podcast, Inspired Insider, since 2011. He has featured top entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs of companies such as P90X, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, the Orlando Magic, and many more through video interviews on Inspired Insider. He also continues to run his chiropractic and massage facility in downtown Chicago and is the founder of a nutritional supplement business. In this episode… Marketing success today demands more than catchy ads — it requires the right mindset and smart money strategies. Entrepreneurs and leaders are discovering that growth comes from mastering emotions, creating irresistible offers, and building teams that scale. What lessons can you learn from top experts in marketing, mindset, and finance who have faced these challenges firsthand? David Gonzalez reflects on humanity’s evolution from conquest and competition to purpose-driven values that matter in business and life. Bob Burg shares why controlling your emotions gives you true power and the ability to turn negative situations into wins for everyone. Dan Kuschell explains how to craft an irresistible offer by focusing on a buying system that makes clients eager to say yes. Ian Garlic reveals the key differences between filmmaking and effective video marketing and how understanding your audience leads to real impact. Nick Araco explores the evolving role of CFOs, highlighting why finance leaders must communicate decisions clearly and connect purpose with numbers. Justin Krane closes with advice on hiring employees with a clear growth path and compensation strategy to keep top talent engaged. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz brings together these standout conversations to share powerful insights on marketing, mindset, and money strategies. Their stories and advice provide a blueprint for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to grow their impact and build lasting success.

Benjamin Ard is the Co-founder and CEO of Masset, a platform that helps B2B teams centralize and track their content for faster access and smarter use. He’s grown the company with notable clients like Awardco, secured early funding, and hosts the Content Amplified Podcast with over 300 episodes. With extensive experience in B2B SaaS and marketing leadership — and as a father of four — Benjamin shares practical insights on growth, content strategy, and building customer-focused companies. In this episode… Buried in shared drives and forgotten folders, high-value marketing content often disappears before it can create impact. This “content graveyard” drains productivity and leaves teams scrambling to find what they need. How can businesses finally make content easy to find, track, and use across the organization? Benjamin Ard set out to solve this by creating a unified content library designed for scalability. With AI-powered search and integrations across Slack, Google Drive, and HubSpot, Masset ensures that every department can access, deploy, and measure content’s real value. By eliminating seat-based pricing, Ben prioritized accessibility from day one — helping clients like Awardco boost efficiency and sales. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks with Benjamin Ard, Co-founder and CEO of Masset, about transforming B2B content management and scaling a SaaS startup. They discuss co-founder dynamics, raising angel and pre-seed rounds, validating product-market fit, and evolving SaaS pricing. Ben also shares insights on mentorship, community, and podcasting as tools for growth.

Michael Nicosia is the Co-founder and COO of Salt Security, a company that protects APIs from threats using cloud-scale big data, AI, and ML. Under his leadership, Salt has raised $271 million, reached a $1.4 billion valuation, and has become a leader in API security with patented AI technology and Fortune 500/Global 1000 clients. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise software sales and marketing, Michael helped lead Adallom as COO from its founding to its $327 million acquisition by Microsoft. In this episode… APIs power nearly every modern digital service, yet most companies remain unaware of just how vulnerable these connections can be to breaches. With AI agents, MCP protocols, and microservices expanding rapidly, how do you ensure that sensitive data isn't leaking through unseen cracks in your API infrastructure? Michael Nicosia, a serial entrepreneur and technology executive, shares how he took the leap from corporate roles to building a platform that safeguards APIs. He describes starting with only an idea, refining it through Y Combinator, and securing early validation from security leaders. Along the way, Michael emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer outcomes, building the right team, and persevering through uncertainty. His journey shows that protecting digital services isn’t just about software — it’s about resilience, trust, and staying ahead of attackers. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Michael Nicosia, COO and Co-founder of Salt Security, about scaling cybersecurity solutions for the modern digital world. Michael discusses lessons from Y Combinator, navigating the fundraising journey, and securing enterprise clients. He also shares insights on pricing models, hiring top talent, and the role of mentorship in building a lasting company.

Ryan Redding is the Founder of Eightfold Advantage, a firm that helps business owners and leadership teams scale without chaos. He previously founded Levergy, a digital marketing agency for home service companies that was acquired by KickCharge Creative in February 2025. A certified Bloom Growth coach and host of the Blue Collar.CEO podcast, Ryan draws from his own journey of overcoming burnout and leading successful company exits to help others build sustainable businesses and achieve their goals. In this episode… Entrepreneurs can easily get trapped in 60- to 90-hour workweeks — juggling clients, managing teams, and putting out constant fires. Profits shrink, growth stalls, and personal freedom disappears. Is it possible to escape the grind without losing control of the business? Growth coach and advisor Ryan Redding shares how his fast-growing agency left him exhausted until he “fired himself” from daily operations and empowered his team. By hiring a strong operational leader and adopting systems like EOS, he transformed the business and his life — moving from 90-hour weeks to true autonomy. His story highlights the power of trust, healthy conflict, and culture in overcoming burnout and building sustainable growth. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Ryan Redding, Founder of Eightfold Advantage, to talk about scaling businesses without chaos. They discuss the shift from being a doer to a leader, the value of finding the right operational partner, and lessons learned from selling a business. With insights on culture, EOS, and Bloom Growth, Ryan offers practical advice and real-world stories for entrepreneurs ready to scale without sacrificing their lives.