A Life of Climb: The CEO's Journey
CEOs are in the business of making decisions. And it's the outcome of those decisions that define their success. A Life of Climb: The CEO’s Journey is a business and leadership podcast by CEOs for CEOs. High-integrity business leaders share how they've overcome some of the most difficult challenges of their careers while growing their businesses and actively supporting their families and communities. Vistage CEO Sam Reese connects with executive coaches for the 10,000-foot view of the leadership lessons that CEOs can apply to their businesses. Join us for a unique journey on the path of leadership development.
Episodes
20 episodes
19: Grgich Hills Estate Winery President on Growing a Resilient Business
Violet Grgich, President and CEO of Grgich Hills Estate Winery, joins the podcast to discuss lessons she learned from her father, the literal “King of Chardonnay,” and how she’s applied those to her leadership journey. Violet also takes Vistage...
•
21:35
18: Immaculate Grid Owner Sean Forman on Making ‘Home Run’ Business Decisions
Sports Reference President Sean Forman joins the podcast to share how he turned a lifelong love of statistics into a business that fuels data and information for the world’s top sports leagues. Sean also takes Vistage CEO Sam Reese through his ...
•
26:45
17: LUZCO Technologies CEO Lus Haberberger on the Exponential Impact of Working ON not IN Your Business
Lus Haberberger, CEO of LUZCO Technologies and a 2024 Vistage Member Excellence Award winner, joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to share why she took the leap to found an engineering firm that has transformed into one of the fastest-growing firms in ...
•
21:42
16: Ascent Aviation CEO David Querio on How Breaking into Underserved Markets Elevates Your Company
David Querio joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey from airplane mechanic to CEO of Ascent Aviation Services, and what he learned about managing teams in an industry with no room for error. He also talks with Vistage CE...
•
Episode 16
•
25:26
15: Winning Customer Experience Strategies with Road Runner Sports President Mike Gotfredson Jr.
Road Runner Sports President and Owner Mike Gotfredson Jr. joins the podcast to share how his athletic shoe company evolved into a nationwide retailer over 41 years. Mike also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how his company uses te...
•
28:06
14: Secrets to Building & Scaling a Business with Cleanlogic Co-CEO Mike Ghesser
Cleanlogic Co-CEO and Vistage Member Award Winner Mike Ghesser joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to talk about how his passion for prioritizing workplace accessibility grew from his personal experiences as a father and friend. Mike also shares how he...
•
23:03
13: AmeriVet CEO Tom Thill on Managing Massive Growth & Successful Business Transactions
AmeriVet Veterinary Partners CEO Tom Thill joins the podcast to share how his values-led approach to acquisitions has fueled explosive growth and led to happier vets and healthier pets. Tom also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about what...
•
28:01
12: The Line Up Owner Deb Erickson on How an Accidental Entrepreneur Built a Culture of Success & Successors
The Line Up Owner and Founder Deb Erickson joins the podcast to share her journey from working in social services to making apparel for some of the biggest sports teams in the country. Deb also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how learnin...
•
22:19
11: Ricos CEO Tony Liberto on Inventions, Innovations & Achieving the Impossible
Ricos Products CEO and Vistage Lifetime Award Winner Tony Liberto joins the podcast and shares the amazing story of the invention of the ballpark nacho and how smart diversification strategies have helped his family business thrive through four...
•
21:14
10: Greyston CEO Joseph Kenner on the Win-Win-Win Approach to Hiring
Greyston President and CEO Joseph Kenner joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to share his organization’s bold ideas for re-thinking hiring, mentorship and advancement in today’s workforce. Joseph also explains his experience reshaping his organization ...
•
23:50
09: Woom CEO Mathias Ihlenfeld on the Balancing Act of Scaling a Business
Woom CEO and “Chief woomster” Mathias Ihlenfeld takes us on his journey from assembling kids’ bikes in a garage to leading one of Inc.’s fastest-growing privately held companies in the US. Mathias also shares lessons learned trying to reimagine...
•
20:44
08: FC Cincinnati Co-CEO Jeff Berding on Winning on and off the Field
Fresh off his team’s banner season, FC Cincinnati Co-CEO Jeff Berding shares how he turned his audacious dream of bringing a professional soccer club to his hometown into a reality. Plus, Jeff discusses how he used a grassroots approach to crea...
•
18:40
07: JEM Group CEO Jessica Meyers on Building to Improve Lives
JEM Group President & Owner Jessica Meyers shares how increasing diversity has helped her women-led company raise the bar in the construction industry. Plus, she talks about the work it takes to cultivate an authentic leadership style and w...
•
21:23
06: Burns 1876 CEO Braydan Shaw on Staying Ahead of the Curve Through 145+ Years
Burns 1876 CEO Braydan Shaw shares how he balances 145+ years of company tradition with a relentless spirit of innovation. Plus, Braydan discusses how viral TikTok videos and a spot on the hit TV show Yellowstone have brought Cowboy swagger to ...
•
26:03
05: Cosmos Corporation CEO Landon Hobson on Sustaining Success Through Three Generations
In this episode of A Life of Climb podcast, Cosmos Corporation CEO Landon Hobson shares why his family business has continued to thrive over three generations in spite of the fact that many family businesses fail. Then Vistage CEO Sam Reese tal...
•
21:49
04: Sealstrip President Heather Chandler on Leadership Lessons as a First-Time CEO
Sealstrip President Heather Chandler joins A Life of Climb podcast to talk about reinforcing a great company culture in difficult times and leadership lessons she gained as a first-time CEO. Then Vistage CEO Sam Reese talks with Heather’s execu...
•
21:47
03: ME Engineers Managing Principal Ed Bosco on Building a Team for Long-Term Success
What do most leaders get wrong when it comes to hiring for long-term success? In this episode, ME Engineers Managing Principal Ed Bosco talks about what it takes to build a team that works on some of the largest, most complex engineering ...
•
23:35
02: Hunt A Killer CEO Ryan Hogan on Managing Explosive Growth
Hunt A Killer CEO Ryan Hogan joins A Life of Climb podcast to talk about the challenges of managing explosive growth and going from a good idea to a sustainable business. Plus, Ryan shares how failing at a Zombie relay race sent him on a path t...
•
30:44
01: MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp on Innovation in the Face of Adversity
On the kickoff episode of A Life of Climb Podcast, MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp shares how his organization pivoted to mobilize thousands of manufacturers in Ohio to make life-saving PPE supplies during the COVID pandemic. He shares how the experience...
•
Episode 1
•
23:54
00: Introducing A Life of Climb: The CEO's Journey a Podcast from Vistage Worldwide
CEOs are in the business of making decisions. And it's the outcome of those decisions that define their success. So how do leaders rise to the challenge day after day, year over year? In A Life of Climb podcast, CEOs share how they've overcome ...
•
1:30
