Business Leaders of America Podcast

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, we hear from Michael Ehrle, the founder of Finparency and managing partner at Lumity. Mike brings two decades of experience in Fortune 500 companies like UnitedHealth Group, Alight, and Highmark, where he mastered employee benefits and HR technology at scale. He now applies that expertise to help small businesses optimize benefits, manage costs, and prepare for growth and future transitions.

Mike shares his journey from corporate leadership to founding Finparency, an AI-driven marketplace that prepares small businesses for investment and connects them with the right investors, while also leading Lumity, a platform that helps mid-sized companies scale benefits effectively. In this episode, we discuss the unique challenges businesses face as they grow, common mistakes owners make with employee benefits, what it takes to become investment-ready, and strategies to increase long-term business value.

If you’re a business owner looking to better manage costs, grow value, and plan for the future, this episode is packed with actionable insights from someone helping small businesses navigate growth and investment with real-world experience.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of Finparency, an AI-driven marketplace that helps small businesses become investment-ready and connect with the right investors

• Managing Partner at Lumity, a digital employee benefits platform helping mid-sized companies optimize benefits and manage costs effectively

• Over 20 years of leadership experience in Fortune 500 companies, including UnitedHealth Group, Alight, and Highmark, specializing in employee benefits and HR technology at scale

• Advisor and partner to private equity and family office-backed companies, guiding growth-stage businesses to increase value and prepare for successful transitions

•  Expert in helping small business owners navigate complex benefits, investment readiness, and strategic planning to maximize long-term business value

How to connect with Mike Ehrle

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeehrle/

• https://www.lumity.com/

• https://finparency.ai/

Show Notes

[1:40] Mike shares his career journey, reflecting on two decades in Fortune 500 companies and how those experiences ultimately led him to found Lumity and later Finparency.

[3:44] The unique challenges companies with 50–200 employees face, including scaling benefits, managing rising costs, and navigating complexities that often overwhelm businesses in this growth stage.

[7:56] The most common mistakes business owners make with employee benefits.

[10:36] What it means for a small business to be “investment-ready”.

[15:28] How Mike helps business owners connect with the right investors instead of just any investor.

[18:16] What private equity firms and family offices often overlook about small businesses and how owners can use that to their advantage.

[25:08] Where small business owners and investors can learn more about Lumity and Finparency and how to get in touch with him.

[26:43] Mike shares one key piece of advice for small business owners about planning for the future.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, we hear from Dinakara Nagalla, an entrepreneur, AI innovator, and founder of multiple AI-driven platforms spanning aviation, education, social impact, and immersive technology. Dinakara shares how he went from engineering to leading companies that leverage AI to solve complex, real-world problems while enhancing human potential.

He explains how he earned trust in one of the most regulated and risk-averse industries in the world, the lessons learned from the acquisition of his aviation SaaS company EmpowerMX by IFS, and what drew him beyond aviation into ventures like Aauti, Saayam, Aautiverse, and his newest platform, Menthra, which uses AI to expand access to mental wellness. Dinakara also discusses the core message of his book Becoming Human, sharing why vulnerability remains challenging for leaders and how embracing imperfection can build stronger, more authentic leadership.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder, President, and CEO of EmpowerMX, an AI-driven aviation SaaS platform transforming aircraft maintenance for global airlines

• Founder of Aauti, an AI-powered education platform; Saayam, a social impact ecosystem; Aautiverse, a human-centered metaverse platform; and Menthra, a 24/7 AI mental wellness platform

• Author of Becoming Human, a bestselling book on authentic leadership and embracing vulnerability in technology-driven industries

• Successfully led EmpowerMX to acquisition by IFS, a $1.5B industrial AI company, expanding impact at a global scale

How to connect with Dinakara Nagalla

• https://dinakaranagalla.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinakaranagalla/

• https://www.empowermx.com/

• https://www.aauti.com/

• https://saayam.com/

• https://aautiverse.com/home

Show Notes

[1:55] Dinakara shares how his path evolved from engineering into leading AI-driven companies across multiple industries, highlighting the key turning points, mindset shifts, and experiences that shaped his journey into entrepreneurship and innovation.

[4:21] The early influences that shaped his belief that technology’s purpose is to elevate human capability, not replace it, and how that perspective has guided his work across multiple industries.

[11:39] How he earned trust in one of the most risk-averse, highly regulated industries by proving reliability step-by-step, focusing on measurable outcomes, and demonstrating that AI could enhance safety and efficiency—not replace human expertise.

[17:18] What the 2024 acquisition of EmpowerMX by IFS meant to him — both as a validation of years of innovation in aviation tech and as a personal milestone marking the transition into a new chapter of impact and scale.

[18:59] He explains what drew him beyond aviation into education, social impact, and immersive tech, driven by a belief that AI should open doors for people, not close them, and by a desire to solve meaningful problems across different parts of society.

[26:56] What motivated him to create Menthra and why mental health became a personal priority, explaining how responsible AI can offer continuous support between therapy sessions and help people who might not have access to care when they need it most.

[40:12] His book Becoming Human and why vulnerability remains challenging for leaders, especially in tech, while showing how embracing imperfection can build trust and stronger leadership.

[44:15] How listeners can learn more about his work, explore his book Becoming Human, and connect with him directly.

[45:11] Dinakara offers guidance for entrepreneurs building AI products, highlighting the key skill or mindset they should focus on developing first.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, we hear from Nikki Barua, a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and globally recognized expert on reinvention, human potential, and organizational transformation. After arriving in the U.S. in 1997, Nikki overcame the challenges of fitting into others’ expectations and discovered how embracing authenticity could unlock her true potential.

Nikki shares why so many leaders feel overwhelmed by the rise of AI, the key questions they should be asking themselves to stay ahead, and the inspiration behind FlipWork, a company helping organizations reinvent themselves in just 90 days. She also discusses the core message of her bestselling book Beyond Barriers and the practical steps business leaders can take today to overcome feeling stuck and unlock exponential growth.

If you’re a business leader looking to embrace change, harness human potential, and take bold steps toward reinvention, this episode is packed with actionable insights from someone who has spent decades transforming both people and organizations.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Co-Founder and CEO of FlipWork, helping organizations reinvent themselves in just 90 days using agentic systems that work alongside people

• Serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and globally recognized expert on reinvention, human potential, and organizational transformation

• Founder of Reinvention Roadmap, guiding business leaders on how to think, work, and lead in the AI era

• Author of Beyond Barriers, a bestselling book on clarity, courage, and conviction

• Named Entrepreneur of the Year by ACE and EY North America Entrepreneurial Winning Woman

• Recognized as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Women and LA Woman of Influence by The Business Journals

• Board member and leader for multiple organizations, including Latinas in Tech, Switch, and Team LPAC, advancing diversity, innovation, and women’s leadership

How to connect with Nikki Barua

• https://www.nikkibarua.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkibarua/

• https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua

• https://x.com/nikkibarua

• https://www.flipwork.ai/

Show Notes

[1:39] Nikki reflects on arriving in the U.S. in 1997 with a heart full of hope and a suitcase of dreams, sharing the early moment she realized reinvention would become the defining theme of her life and career.

[6:02] How she shifted from trying to fit into others’ expectations to embracing authenticity, and how that realization became the key to unlocking her true potential.

[12:41] Why many leaders feel overwhelmed by the rise of AI and breaks down the key question business leaders should be asking themselves as they determine how AI fits into their organization.

[17:27] The inspiration behind FlipWork and how the company’s agentic system is designed to help organizations reinvent themselves in just 90 days by working alongside people rather than replacing them.

[26:15] How the core message of her bestselling book, Beyond Barriers, and the single most important transformation she hopes readers experience.

[29:04] The best ways for listeners to connect with Nikki, learn more about FlipWork, and where they can pick up her book Beyond Barriers.

[29:33] Nikki outlines the first reinvention step business leaders can take within 24 hours to overcome feeling stuck, whether it’s in their mindset, company culture, or capabilities.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by Ronald Diamond, a seasoned investor, educator, and thought leader whose career spans hedge funds, private markets, and Family Office leadership. Early in his career, Ron founded Pinnacle Capital, outperforming the S&P for a decade, and later built Diamond Wealth into a syndicate of over 100 Family Offices, advising them across private equity, venture capital, real estate, and credit.

In this episode, Ron shares the vision behind Diamond Wealth and how he helps companies connect with Family Offices, why alignment is critical for creating real investment alpha, and how emerging tools like AI are shaping decision-making in private markets. He also discussed what inspired him to launch Family Office World Media to foster collaboration, the key investment trends leaders should watch heading into 2026, and what drives his lifelong commitment to philanthropy.

If you’re a founder, investor, or business leader looking to understand how Family Offices think, make decisions, and create meaningful impact, this episode is packed with insights from someone who has spent decades at the intersection of wealth, innovation, and purpose.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder and Chairman of Diamond Wealth, a syndicate of over 100 Family Offices ranging from $250 million to $30 billion

• Founder and CEO of Family Office World Media, a platform fostering collaboration and resource sharing for Family Offices

• Founded Pinnacle Capital, a $250 million hedge fund that outperformed the S&P 500 for a decade

• Chair of a national Family Office Group at TIGER 21 and helped create its Family Office Program

• Instructor of Family Office courses at Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business

• Committed philanthropist serving on multiple nonprofit boards, driving meaningful impact across communities

How to connect with Ronald Diamond

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronalddiamond/

• https://www.diamondwealthstrategies.com/familyofficeworldmedia

• https://www.ronalddiamond.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/diamond-wealth-strategies/

• https://www.facebook.com/rondiamond23

• https://x.com/RonDiamond23

Show Notes

[1:27] Ron shares what inspired him to found Pinnacle Capital early in his career, reflect on outperforming the S&P for a decade, and the key lessons from that period that still influence how he invests today.

[4:04] The original vision behind Diamond Wealth and how it has evolved over the past 20 years into a syndicate of more than 100 Family Offices.

[6:40] The fundamental differences between family offices and traditional institutional capital, and how those distinctions impact investment strategy and decision-making.

[14:42] How he helps companies connect with Family Offices, why they can be better partners than traditional capital, and how true alignment creates real alpha.

[16:09] How AI will be used to help Family Offices more efficiently identify and evaluate companies that truly align with their investment criteria, dramatically improving focus and decision-making with leaner teams.

[20:05] What inspired him to found Family Office World Media and the moment he realized how important collaboration and resource sharing are within the Family Office community.

[27:24] Where key investment trends leaders should watch as they move into 2026 through the eyes of family investing.

[29:40] Ron shares what drives his commitment to philanthropy and why giving back has become such a central part of his life and work.

[32:20] How listeners can connect with Ron and learn more about Diamond Wealth and the work he’s doing.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by Peter Cimoroni, a seasoned entrepreneur and visionary leader whose career spans consulting, nutraceuticals, media, and now food innovation. As the CEO and founder of AVOGO Foods, Peter is redefining what healthy, avocado-based products can be, creating bold, flavorful offerings like AVO DOUGH Guacamole Bread and Burger Buns that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Peter shared how his diverse experiences across industries converged to inspire AVOGO Foods, and how he identified a gap in the market for simple, clean ingredients without compromising on taste. He also revealed how a family recipe dating back over 100 years shaped the flavors, values, and story behind the brand, and the lessons he’s learned navigating the complexities of scaling a food business in today’s competitive landscape.

We also discussed how his background with Palladium, producing emotionally powerful, human-centered storytelling, has influenced the way he builds and markets AVOGO, and what his long-term vision is for the brand as it continues to grow and innovate.

If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or business leader looking to create something truly unique and break through a crowded market, this episode is full of actionable insights and inspiration from a leader who knows how to turn bold ideas into reality.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• 39+ years of leadership experience across consulting, nutraceuticals, media, and food innovation

• Founder and CEO of AVOGO Foods, creator of the first-ever AVO DOUGH Guacamole Bread and Burger Buns

• Built three brands and seven products emphasizing simple ingredients and bold flavor

• Extensive experience producing emotionally powerful, human-centered content through Palladium

How to connect with Peter Cimoroni

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpetercimoroni/

• https://www.instagram.com/c.peter.cimoroni/

• https://x.com/cimoroni152

• https://www.tiktok.com/@cpetercimoroni

• https://www.avogo.co/

• https://www.facebook.com/avogofoods/

• https://www.palladiumedge.com/

Show Notes

[1:32] Peter shares how his diverse leadership experiences across consulting, nutraceuticals, media, and food innovation came together and ultimately led to the creation of AVO-GO Foods.

[3:17] The gap he saw in the food market and how AVO-GO Foods was built around simplicity, delivering bold flavor with the fewest possible ingredients.

[8:06] How a family recipe dating back more than 100 years shaped the flavors, values, and story behind AVO-GO Foods.

[10:18] The biggest hurdles in scaling a food product today and where founders tend to underestimate the complexity as they grow.

[14:34] Peter shares how his experience with Palladium and its focus on emotionally powerful, human-centered storytelling has shaped the way he builds and markets AVO-GO Foods.

[21:22] The long-term vision for AVO-GO Foods and hints at new products or categories he sees emerging as the brand grows.

[23:44] Where listeners can connect with him and learn more about AVO-GO Foods.

[24:52] Peter offers his best advice for entrepreneurs looking to create something truly unique and break through the noise in crowded markets.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I sat down with Jordan Solender, a self-made tech entrepreneur and the founder of IT Select, an AI-powered platform rethinking how IT leaders evaluate vendors and navigate procurement.

Jordan shared his journey from launching his first businesses as a teenager to building and exiting a technology advisory firm at eight figures, along the way confronting a hard truth many founders face: even successful leaders can become the biggest bottleneck in their own companies. We talked about the moment he recognized that pattern, why stepping away was so uncomfortable, and how watching things break ultimately reshaped his approach to leadership.

We also explored what led to the creation of IT Select, the inefficiencies in traditional IT procurement that inspired it, and how Jordan now helps founders move from hands-on operators to architects of scalable systems through his Founder Freedom Formula.

If you’re a founder, operator, or business leader looking to scale without becoming the constraint, this episode offers practical insight into building autonomy, leverage, and long-term freedom

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• 20+ years of entrepreneurship, starting at 15

• Multiple successful exits, including an eight-figure tech exit

• Generated $40M+ in revenue across several companies

• CEO of IT Select, the AI-driven procurement platform for SMBs

• Featured in Forbes, FinTech TV, CIO Review

• Board Member at EO, supporter of Georgetown Lombardi & Make-A-Wish

How to connect with Jordan Solender

• https://www.jordansolender.com/

• https://www.itselect.io/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordansolender/

• https://www.instagram.com/jordan_sols/

• https://www.instagram.com/jordan.solender/

Show Notes

[1:48] Jay Jordan reflects on launching his first businesses as a teenager and shares when he first realized he had an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age.

[3:32] The moment he realized he was the bottleneck in his own companies, and how confronting that reality changed the way he approached leadership and growth.

[6:38] How stepping away and watching cracks form revealed critical insights, ultimately reshaping his approach to leadership and building true operational autonomy.

[12:01] The key drivers that fueled rapid growth in his technology advisory firm and ultimately led to an eight-figure exit.

[12:59] The broken aspects of the IT procurement process that inspired IT Select and how the AI-powered platform helps IT leaders save significant time.

[16:02] Jordan breaks down his Founder Freedom Formula and explains how each step is designed to create more clarity, leverage, and freedom for founders.

[19:21] Where listeners can learn more about Jordan, explore IT Select, and discover how he helps founders escape the bottleneck trap.

[21:32] Jordan issues a bold challenge for listeners to test how scalable their business truly is.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I sat down with Jay Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Abacus Global Management, a publicly traded alternative asset management company that has grown into a global, multi-division platform under his leadership.

Jay shared how stepping into the life-settlements space in 2016 led to the transformation of Abacus into four complementary business units. We discussed the company’s expansion across 49 states, its deep relationships with institutional partners and tens of thousands of financial advisors, and the role technology now plays in modernizing an often misunderstood industry.

He also walked through the thinking behind Abacus’s first-ever annual dividend and what it signals about the company’s financial strength and long-term strategy.

If you’re interested in alternative assets, longevity-based financial solutions, or scaling a financial services company in a complex market, this episode offers valuable insight.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Chairman & CEO of Abacus Global Management, leading the company through its evolution into a publicly traded, global alternative asset management platform.

• Architect of Abacus’s four-division business model, Life Solutions, Asset Group, Wealth Advisors, and ABL Tech, creating an integrated, longevity-based financial ecosystem.

• Led Abacus’s expansion across 49 states, building long-term relationships with institutional partners and more than 30,000 financial advisors.

• Recognized industry leader in longevity-based investing and life-settlement asset management, with Abacus having purchased over $10 billion in face value of life insurance policies since 2004.

• Guided Abacus through its transition to a publicly traded company and the launch of its first-ever annual dividend, reflecting strong cash flow generation and disciplined capital allocation.

How to connect with Jay Jackson

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjacksonabl/

• https://abacusgm.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/abacusgm/

• NASDAQ: ABL

Show Notes

[1:45] Jay shares his original vision when he became CEO of Abacus in 2016 and how that vision has evolved over the past nine years as the company has grown in the life-settlements space.

[15:51] The catalyst behind restructuring Abacus into four distinct yet complementary business units and how that strategic shift supported global growth and long-term scalability.

[19:16] The key drivers behind expanding Abacus’s presence across 49 states, strengthening institutional partnerships, and building relationships with more than 30,000 financial advisors.

[22:01] What’s most misunderstood about the life-settlement and secondary insurance market and what he wishes consumers, advisors, and investors better understood about the value these solutions provide.

[24:00] How Abacus identified critical technology gaps in the life-settlement industry and how ABL Tech is solving complex challenges through innovations like real-time mortality verification and missing participant location.

[29:49] The strategic decision behind Abacus’s first-ever annual dividend and the message it sends to the market about the company’s stability, performance, and long-term outlook.

[31:28] Jay shares his perspective on the key trends shaping the future of alternative asset management and how increased access, data, and regulation will influence the next decade of investing.

[39:06] How listeners can learn more about Abacus Global Management, explore its services, and connect with Jay or his team.

[39:37] Jay offers advice to the next generation of financial leaders looking to innovate in an industry that isn’t always welcoming to change.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Gilman, a seasoned executive and consultant with a 40-year career spanning engineering, operations, finance, business development, and auditing.

Thomas shares his journey from a corporate leader to a trusted advisor for CEOs, explaining how his diverse experience informs the way he helps companies strengthen their financial and operational health. We dive into why the externally facing health of a business is often overlooked, how simple yet powerful tools like his rapid business scan can uncover opportunities, and what it truly means for a company to be “bankable.”

He also provides actionable insights on common mistakes companies make when seeking funding or boosting profitability, and offers guidance for entrepreneurs looking to build strong, sustainable businesses.

If you’re a business leader or entrepreneur looking to improve financial strength, secure funding, or uncover hidden growth opportunities, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement right away.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Owner of Driving Business Growth, LLC, helping businesses boost financial strength, optimize profits, and secure funding.

• Over 40 years of corporate leadership at BP/Amoco, leading global audits, operations, projects, and economic analysis across 18 countries.

• Managed high-impact projects including BP’s $17B decommissioning compliance, offshore drilling risers, and multi-billion-dollar pipeline negotiations.

• Expert in operational and financial optimization, delivering multi-million-dollar savings through plant and scheduling improvements.

• Advises CEOs on funding, equity financing, compliance, business credit, and banking strategy to drive growth and profitability.

How to connect with Thomas Gilman

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-gilman/

• https://drivingbusinessgrowthllc.com/

• Email: thomas.gilman@drivingbusinessgrowthllc.com

• Cell: (281) 972-2377

Show Notes

[1:41] Thomas reflects on his transition from a 40-year corporate career into consulting, sharing how his diverse experience across engineering, operations, finance, business development, and auditing shaped the way he now helps CEOs strengthen their companies.

[3:38] Why the externally facing health of a business is often overlooked by CEOs and outlines the risks companies face when it’s ignored.

[4:33] How the free, rapid business scan works, what it uncovers about a company’s true health, and why it’s such a powerful starting point for meaningful improvement.

[7:04] What it truly means for a company to be “bankable,” explaining how the same compliance-based evaluation tools used by banks, institutional lenders, and private equity firms assess a business’s strength, readiness, and credibility.

[9:12] How the process is designed to surface meaningful growth opportunities and financial insights while requiring minimal time and disruption for business leaders.

[11:31] The most common mistakes companies make when trying to secure funding or boost profitability, and explains what CEOs should be focusing on instead to strengthen financial performance and long-term viability.

[15:12] How investors, banks, and acquirers are evolving their evaluation criteria for companies and what that means for business leaders.

[17:27] How listeners can learn more, explore the business scan, and connect directly.

[18:31] Thomas offers his top financial and strategic advice for entrepreneurs building meaningful businesses.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Sabine Gedeon, a transformational speaker, executive coach, and leadership strategist with nearly two decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations through moments of growth, change, and reinvention.

Sabine shares what first sparked her passion for leadership transformation and dives into the mindset and leadership shifts that high-performing leaders need to break through growth ceilings and take their impact to the next level. She also walks us through her framework connecting identity, influence, and execution, showing how leaders can apply it in practice to build sustainable, long-term success.

We explore how she helps teams rebuild alignment and restore stability when growth outpaces people, systems, or culture, all while maintaining momentum. Sabine also discusses the inspiration behind The Leverage Lab and The Aligned Leader Circle, programs designed to help founders and leaders create sustainable systems for growth.

If you’re interested in leadership evolution, building high-performing teams, or strengthening alignment and trust within your organization, this episode offers actionable insights and practical strategies you won’t want to miss.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of Gedeon Enterprises, a leadership advisory and professional development firm helping high-impact leaders and organizations navigate growth, change, and transformation.

• Creator of The Leverage Lab, a 12-week accelerator teaching service-based founders to turn relationships into capital and build consistent growth pipelines.

• Founder of The Aligned Leader Circle, a 6-month mastermind program supporting high-performing leaders to expand their impact with greater clarity and ease.

• Certified ICF Professional Coach with nearly two decades of experience guiding executives, founders, and teams to strengthen alignment, influence, and sustainable performance.

• Named one of Influence Digest’s Top 15 Coaches in San Diego (2025) for excellence in executive coaching and leadership development.

• Author of Transformed: The Journey to Becoming

How to connect with Sabine Gideon

• https://sabinegedeon.com

• https://sabinegedeon.com/challenge

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinegedeon

• https://www.instagram.com/sabinegedeon

• https://www.youtube.com/@CoachSabineGedeon

Show Notes

[1:40] Sabine shares what first sparked her passion for leadership transformation and how it led to nearly two decades of guiding leaders and organizations through growth, change, and reinvention.

[6:27] The key mindset and leadership behavior shifts needed to break through growth ceilings and move to the next level.

[11:00] How she helps leadership teams rebuild alignment and restore stability when growth outpaces their people, systems, or culture — all while maintaining momentum.

[15:30] Sabine walks through her framework connecting identity, influence, and execution, showing how leaders can apply it in practice to build more sustainable, long-term success.

[19:30] How she balances the human side of leadership with the strategic, performance-driven needs of organizations through Gedeon Enterprises’ people-centered approach.

[28:53] The inspiration behind The Leverage Lab and The Aligned Leader Circle, explaining how these programs help leaders and founders build sustainable systems for growth.

[31:19] How listeners can connect, learn more about Gedeon Enterprises, and access her programs and coaching offerings.

[31:53] Sabine shares one practical shift listeners can implement today to strengthen alignment, trust, and influence within their teams.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Todd Youngblood, a seasoned fintech operator, military veteran, and the co-founder of Pneuma Gladius. After more than 15 years leading growth in the fintech and payments space, Todd reached a point where traditional markers of success no longer aligned with his inner reality. That realization set him on a powerful path toward healing, mental wellness, and redefining what meaningful success looks like.

In our conversation, Todd opens up about the personal turning point that sparked this shift, why so many high achievers feel disconnected even after major financial wins, and how plant-based and psychedelic-assisted therapies played a role in helping him access greater clarity and empathy. We also dive into the vision behind Pneuma Gladius and how his work is supporting both entrepreneurs and the veteran and first-responder communities through ethical, structured healing modalities.

If you’re interested in leadership evolution, mental-health innovation, or the intersection of performance and personal transformation, this episode offers a powerful perspective you won’t want to miss.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Co-Founder of Pneuma Gladius, an emerging mental-health and leadership organization focused on safe, ethical access to plant-based and psychedelic-assisted healing modalities for veterans, first responders, and high-performing leaders.

• Former fintech and payments executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience driving growth, strategy, and operational scale across multiple high-growth companies.

• United States military veteran, bringing lessons from service, resilience, and mission-driven leadership into his work supporting those navigating trauma, transition, and high-pressure environments.

• Advisor and consultant to founders, executives, and organizations seeking to integrate mental-health-centered frameworks into their leadership and performance models.

How to connect with Todd Youngblood

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-youngblood/

• https://www.pneumagladius.com/

Show Notes

[1:33] Todd shares the personal and professional turning point that led him to shift from fintech and payments toward mental health, healing, and redefining what success truly means.

[7:34] Why many high achievers still feel disconnected even after major financial wins and how his own journey reshaped his definition of true success.

[16:17] The role of plant-based and psychedelic-assisted therapies in his healing journey, explaining how, when approached responsibly and with proper guidance, these experiences can help leaders tap into greater creativity, empathy, and clarity.

[27:47] The original vision behind founding Pneuma Gladius and the unmet needs in the mental-health and leadership space that inspired its creation.

[35:44] The best ways for listeners to connect with Todd, learn more about his work, and get involved with the mission behind Pneuma Gladius.

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