Leadership And Career Episodes

🏀 From Court to Courtroom: Tracy Schimelfenig on Sports Law, NIL, and the Future of Women's Sports She went from college basketball player to courtroom. And she will tell you the skills that made her a great athlete are the same ones that make her a great attorney. Tracy Schimelfenig is the founder and Managing Attorney of Schimelfenig Legal, a San Diego-based firm focused on sports, business, and nonprofit law. With 20 years of experience spanning litigation, in-house counsel, and transactiona...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cafferty of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to unpack what's really driving San Diego's economy — from cross-border trade with Mexico to the talent pipelines fueling regional growth. Mark shares how the EDC engages with industry, the leadership lessons he's picked up from mentors and other cities, and why data-driven decision-making sits at the center of good economic development. We also get into the housing supply conversation...

Joshua Volen did not stumble into commercial real estate. He built toward it, one lesson at a time, starting from childhood ventures that taught him more about business than any classroom ever could. In Episode 110, Dustin sits down with Joshua Volen, co-founder of CIRE Equity, to unpack how authenticity, vulnerability, and a fundamental shift from scarcity to abundance mindset transformed his approach to leadership, culture, and commercial real estate investing. 🔑 Key Topics Childho...

Jonathan Hawkins built a legal practice most lawyers never considered. He represents law firms themselves, navigating breakups, partnership disputes, and business divorces that tear firms apart from the inside. In Episode 109, Dustin sits down with Jonathan to unpack how he went from engineering to law, found one of the most underserved niches in the legal industry, and built a practice around serving firms no one else focused on. If you are building a business, managing a partnership, or thi...

The retail apocalypse narrative is wrong. Andy Weiner has the data to prove it. In this episode, Dustin sits down with Andy Weiner, President of Rockstep Capital, to break down what is actually happening in retail real estate and why the strongest operators are not just surviving but expanding. Andy shares how Rockstep Capital identifies opportunity in secondary and tertiary markets, why physical retail and e-commerce are partners not competitors, and what the limited supply of new shopping center development means for savvy investors right now. If you are in commercial real estate, retail investing, or trying to understand where brick and mortar is headed, this conversation gives you a data-driven perspective that cuts through the noise.

Most managers think they are recognizing their employees. Most employees disagree. That gap is costing organizations more than they realize.In this episode, Dustin sits down with Dr. Bob Nelson, recognized as the number one management guru in the world three years running, and Mario Tamayo of the Tamayo Group to break down why employee recognition is one of the most underutilized tools in leadership and exactly what to do about it.Together they unpack the disconnect between how managers perceive their own recognition efforts and what employees actually experience, why personalized recognition outperforms generic rewards every time, and how leaders can build cultures where people genuinely want to show up and contribute.If you manage a team of any size this episode gives you practical tools you can use immediately.

***Text “BISHOP” to 55498 to receive 10% off any of Bishop Foreman’s books and select items.*** Bishop Kevin Foreman shares how faith, entrepreneurship, mindset, and execution unlock your full potential. In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, we explore spiritual leadership, business growth, personal development, and the discipline of taking action. Known as “The People’s Bishop,” Bishop Kevin Foreman discusses starting his first business at age 12, why you should never demonize your ...

What does it take to successfully pivot your career and create meaningful impact? In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Dustin sits down with Alex Waters, a leader in the San Diego startup community and a key force behind Program Labs, an organization that designs and operates entrepreneurship programs that expand opportunity and strengthen communities. Alex shares the unconventional path that took him from aspiring doctor to philosophy student and ultimately into the dynamic worlds ...

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Eric Kapitulik, founder of The Program, to unpack what it truly takes to build elite teams and durable leaders. Eric shares his journey from military service to working with professional sports teams and corporations across North America. At the core of the conversation is a simple but demanding idea. Success comes from consistent hard work, personal accountability, and a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself. We talk about lessons from high-performance environments, the difference between happiness and satisfaction, and how parenthood reshaped Eric’s leadership philosophy. This episode is a practical look at emotional resiliency, lifelong learning, and why taking 100% responsibility is the foundation of trust, culture, and long-term success. Key Takeaways -Success starts with defining who you want to become -Hard work, sacrifice, and discipline never go out of style -Listening to under…

Overcoming adversity changes everything. In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with marathon runner, author, and podcast host Bishoy Tadros to explore resilience, endurance sports, parenting, empathy, and personal growth. Bishoy shares his powerful story of battling leukemia as a child and how that experience shaped his mindset, values, and lifelong commitment to pushing past limits. From hosting the Mile 40 podcasts, to writing his books (Break Barriers, Mile 40, Audacious...

Building a company is hard. Building one with the right culture while scaling fast is even harder. In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with David Walker, Co-founder and CEO of Spara, to talk entrepreneurship, AI, sales, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts. David shares how his early influences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, why his first startup experience was a turning point, and how intention matters when transitioning from school into building ...

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Mitch McDermott, founder of Talent Ascension, to unpack what is really happening in today’s job market and why so many candidates and companies feel stuck. Mitch shares his unconventional journey from the car business to building a successful executive search firm, including a bold move to Australia that reshaped his career and worldview. Along the way, we dig into how recruiting has evolved, how AI is changing hiring, and why au...

In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Neil Soskin, a veteran in commercial real estate with nearly 40 years of experience as an advisor, coach, and leader. Neil shares his journey from CPA to trusted CRE advisor, opening up about the mentors, lessons, and mindset shifts that shaped his career. His approach blends the technical world of real estate with mindfulness, personal growth, and a deep commitment to meaningful relationships. Neil reflects on the role spirituality and daily mindfulness have played in his life, how coaching became an extension of servant leadership, and why generational transitions in family businesses require patience, clarity, and intentional communication. He also talks openly about failure, identity, and why defining your personal vision is one of the most important investments you can make. Walk away with insight into leadership, personal growth, emotional intelligence, and the importance of slowing down to become more effective in both busines…

Stephen Clarke brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from over two decades in strategy, governance, innovation, engagement, and leadership development. Currently, he serves as a Global Executive Director at JLL, focusing on driving innovation, growth strategy, digital transformation, and AI within the Global Markets Advisory business. Stephen's distinguished career has seen him in pivotal roles at major firms like PepsiCo, McKesson, Deloitte, IBM, Cognizant, and Lloyds Banking Group. Ep...

James Robertson did not follow a straight line into commercial real estate. He built his own path, and that diverse background became one of his greatest competitive advantages. In this episode, Dustin sits down with James Robertson, Senior Vice President at JLL, to explore how transferable skills, creative problem solving, and a people-first mindset have shaped his career representing some of the nation's leading users of office and industrial space. James shares how a unique perspective sets you apart in a relationship-driven industry, why the intersection of technology and commercial real estate is creating new opportunities for cross-industry thinkers, and how impactful leadership extends far beyond the deal into the communities that need it most. Whether you are navigating your own career pivot, building your presence in commercial real estate, or looking for a fresh perspective on what leadership actually looks like in practice, this conversation delivers.

Welcome to another episode of "Tools Talents & Techniques." Today, we are honored to have a distinguished guest, Mr. John H. Jones, joining us. Recognized as a Real Estate Executive and PropTech (property technology) thought leader, John's work has been featured in numerous articles exploring the convergence of real estate with the future of work, artificial intelligence (AI), and modernization. Beyond his expertise in real estate, John has a rich political background. He has played key roles ...