C-Suite Success with Tricia Benn

Ashley Craig built one of the most decorated careers in corporate finance — from fixed income analysis at Morgan Stanley to managing a $100 million operating budget at The Walt Disney Company — and then did something most executives never do: she walked away from it all to ask harder questions. In this episode of C-Suite Success, Ashley sits down with Tricia Benn for an unfiltered conversation that covers the full arc of a remarkable career — the painful lessons of stepping away to raise her children and being told her skills had gone stale, the moment she realized that accumulating wealth was no longer enough, and why she believes the executives
who will define the next decade are the ones paying attention to what’s
happening to their workforce right now. From the financialization of the
American economy to AI, livable wages, and the power of knowing when to say no — Ashley Craig brings three decades of boardroom experience and hard-won clarity to a conversation every c-suite leader needs to hear.

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Remember that famous “Napoleon Dynamite” line, “Kip, where’s my chap stick?” Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Hollywood with Sean Covel, the film’s producer. In this interview, he tells the story of the moment he realized he’d made it in Tinseltown, his unique take on success and the transformative journey he underwent to reevaluate his value system. But that’s not all – his filmmaking triumphs enabled him to give back to his small-town South Dakota community. From crafting a heartwarming children’s book, “Porter the Hoarder,” to creating the ’12 days of pizza’ program to help kids in need during school breaks, Sean’s story is a whirlwind of inspiration. Tune in to discover why he’s the man who “produced something weird that broke science.”

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D-E-I aren’t just letters. They should be ingrained in every organization’s DNA to make them stronger, more profitable and remain ahead of the competition. In today’s business landscape, we must take advantage of every possible opportunity given to create a bigger impact. Verónica Calderón is the Chief Belonging and University Relations Officer at DeVry University and this interview highlights how she has built a career in creating meaningful impact for others and building strong relationships to elevate leadership.  

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When it comes to success, Mark Victor Hansen has seen and achieved plenty. As the co-author of the hit series “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” Mark has written hundreds of books (and sold over 500 million copies), has spoken all over the world and considers himself a scholar – learning key lessons from such notables as Albert Einstein and Andrew Carnegie. This interview focuses on that immense success after having been rejected 144
times, the three key principles of perseverance, excellence and believing in
oneself, and how to use success as a platform to elevate you to a higher level.

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Success isn’t a fixed destination — it’s a journey of reflection, reinvention, and impact. In this episode featuring Dan Caruso, Managing Director of Caruso Ventures, we explore his evolving definition of success, from his drive to write a book as a personal milestone to the humbling lessons learned about networking outside of your circle and relevance. Dan shares candid insights on mentorship, the shifting professional landscape, and the power of engagement in setting future leaders apart. He also dives into his passion for disruptive innovation, from quantum technology to space tech, and why these advancements will shape the next great global transformation.

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As a world-famous rock star, Mark Schulman has shared the stage with notables such as P!nk, Foreigner, Billy Idol, Beyonce, Tina Turner, and more. Whatever success he found on the world stage, has translated to his thought leadership business. An acclaimed keynote speaker and best-selling author of “Conquering Life’s Stage Fright: Three Steps to Top Performance, Mark reveals his most important lesson to achieve success, how to transform your performance, the power of reinvention, and how to be of service.

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In this episode of C-Suite Success, Tricia Benn sits down with Randall Kenneth Jones, President & Founder of MindZoo, for a candid conversation about what success really means and why the most powerful leaders lead with heart. From a scrappy college moment delivering musical telegrams and surprising Pat Benatar with six dozen balloons, to later interviewing the very icons who once inspired him, Randy shares the defining experiences that shaped his career and mindset. Along the way, he reveals the
leadership lessons that changed his life: the transformative power of
listening, the courage to grow through discomfort, the wisdom he gained from voices like Suze Orman and Norman Lear, and why authentic storytelling is what people remember long after the strategy is forgotten. It’s a powerful reminder for executives that success isn’t just about titles or outcomes; it’s about purpose, resilience, and the choice to keep showing up as your true self.

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Discover the secrets behind the evolution of a 138-year-old brand as Jane Francisco, Editor-in-Chief of “Good Housekeeping” and a driving force at Hearst Lifestyle Group, shares her journey to success. Navigating the challenges of revitalizing an iconic publication requires constant disruption and a willingness to embrace change. Join us in this insightful interview as Jane reflects on her early days as an entrepreneur, comparing the concept of success then to her present perspective. Gain valuable insights into the hard-earned lessons she’s gathered along the way and her unwavering enthusiasm for storytelling through the lens of a timeless brand.

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In this episode Gerhard Gschwandtner, the founder of Selling Power magazine, shares his multi-decade journey in redefining success and elevating sales professionals worldwide. In this interview, Gerhard
discusses the noble purpose of selling, the transformative power of meaningful conversations, and the art of asking the right questions to create value with customers. He also explores overcoming mindset pitfalls and breaking patterns through tools like journaling and gratitude, while emphasizes the timeless impact of ideas that shape a better future and outlast institutions.

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This powerful episode of C-Suite Success features John Driscoll — board chair, former healthcare CEO, military officer, and author explores what leadership truly demands in moments of disruption. From his formative
lessons at Fort Bragg to scaling and selling CareCentrix, leading major
healthcare transformation at Walgreens Health, and boldly doubling entry-level wages while freezing executive salaries, John reveals a consistent throughline: values and performance are inseparable. In a candid, executive-level conversation, he shares why putting people first is not soft leadership but a strategic advantage, how investing in frontline teams reduced turnover and strengthened enterprise value, and why redefining the social contract of success is essential in an AI-driven, economically uncertain world. This episode challenges CEOs, founders, and board leaders to ask themselves: Are we building organizations where people can truly bring their full potential to work — and are our values visible in the way we create value?

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