The Culture Matters Podcast

"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm." - Henry David ThoreauMarvin Joles is the owner of Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance and the creator of the "Blacktop Banter" podcast and we've got him back on the program today to get into all kinds of leadership and culture topics.  Marvin and Jay are digging into the transformation Marvin underwent in 2024 and the circumstances that led to those changes, some of the health challenges Marvin faced over the last year, and even a little Good Will Hunting near the end.  We're very happy to have Marvin back on the show and we think you will be too after this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I think when you're discipline, fear dissipates."Charlie Cina is an author, speaker, consultant and the founder CEO of OneTapConnect and he is back on the show today after far too long an absence and we are going to make the most of it.  Charlie and Jay are digging into why discipline and commitment are the cornerstones for success, why life wasn't meant to be and doesn't have to be as complex as it is made out to be, and how OneTapConect is making it easier for people in business to get connected and stay connected with the right people.  We've got a great conversation on leadership and professionalism today on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." - Mark TwainCustomer Experience and Project Consultant at G. Fedale Christopher Shelly is here making his debut appearance on the show and we are excited to chat with him about what is going on with him when he isn't sending other wonderful guests our way.  Chris and Jay are digging into why customer experience plays such an important role in successful businesses as well as ways to improve those experiences, why comfortability can stymy ambition and success, and why doing the right thing will make you a positive example for both the people who know you and the people who don't who just see you existing.  We're getting into some very real places today on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Your target market and their demographics realistically need to be in alignment with your own beliefs and morals or you may have trouble reaching out to them or keeping them once others have entered the market." - Michael GerberReal estate leader and founder and CEO of The Align Team Brett Sikora is making his very first appearance on the show today and we are extremely excited to have a man with such a background and knowledge sharing with us today.  Brett and Jay are diving into Brett's background in real estate and how he went from being a top producer on another real estate team to forming his own company, Brett's affinity for the landscaping business, and why, post-election, we are seeing consumer's purchasing confidence returning to the market.  It's a real estate and leadership master class today with the one and only Brett Sikora.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert EinsteinFounder of Solid Value Contracting, member of Top Contractor School, author Jesse Miller is making his inaugural appearance on the show and we're here to talk about leadership, culture, and all things in between.  Jesse and Jay are diving into Jesse's passion for service and how he has grown his company based on his reputation for quality among his clients, Jesse's decision to read and study and to make himself the most knowledgeable version of himself that he could, and Jesse's foray into the self-development space and how his message and way of thinking inspired him to write his book.

"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer." - Ralph Waldo EmersonIf you have been listening to the show for a little while, then our guest today is no stranger to you.  The founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding Robert Frehafer is back on the program after a little time away and we couldn't be happier to have him back.  We are continuing with our theme of the end of 2024 and taking some time with Robert to take a look back at the year and receive an update on what has transpired at Guardian over the last 12 months.  Moreover, Robert and Jay are digging into the general ease of recapping when the year has been kind, clarifying external and internal distractions, and keeping yourself focused on the task in front of you.  Robert is always good for deep and meaningful conversation and he keeps that reputation in tact on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The higher we soar the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly." - Friedrich NietzscheThe founder of 20/20 Vision for Success and author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth, Christine Beckwith, is back on the show today talking about her new book, High - Selling is a Drug.  Today's discussion is focusing on chapter five, "Upper Limits", and we are diving real deep.  Christine and Jay are digging into what it's like when a group of employees feeds off of one another's work, how much easier it is to be a good leader when times aren't tough, and the enthusiasm of youth vs. the wisdom of experience.  There is a lot going on in this chapter and we're excited to dig into it all on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

With 2024 quickly approaching its end and 2025 just over the horizon, our very own Jay Doran thought it might be a good idea to start looking ahead.  Every new year is an opportunity to press the reset button on the previous year and get a fresh start on the next 12 months.  However, some people find it difficult to do just that.  Jay is here to offer a little encouragement and a few helpful tips to make sure that reset button is good and pressed as we approach the latest quarter century mark. 

"Pride goes before destruction; a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18The founder of Swink's Creations Mark Swink is making his second solo appearance on the show today and we're taking a little trip down memory lane to kick things off.  Mark and Jay are unpacking what has kept Mark in business and successful for over 40 years, the joy and overwhelming sense of right that comes from helping a child by being a foster parent, and we're taking some time to discuss Mark's very strong faith and the paths that has led him down throughout his life.  We've got some real inspirational stuff happening today on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

Coming down the pike today is another edition of culture content with our very own Jay Doran and today's topic is that of builders and breakers.  Theoretically, people should want to be closer to the people that build them up as opposed to being closer to the people who break them down.  But what if that is backwards?  What if being closer to the people that break you down is a way of strengthening your resolve and becoming a stronger and more empowered leader because of the constant need to build yourself up?  Jay is here to debate that very question on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.