The Junto Institute: Flourishing Together

“One of the things that I've learned is that that's actually OK to have a messy life story. I've been told that our life is like a tapestry. . . It's this beautiful piece of art that we can really only understand when the time is right for us to understand. ” – Paul Fehrenbacher Paul Fehrenbacher is the Co-founder and CEO of Mutt Jackson as well as a Junto Institute alum. Life has thrown some major curveballs his way and Paul opens up about how he’s dealt with multiple tragedies in a short...

“One of the things that I've learned is that that's actually OK to have a messy life story. I've been told that our life is like a tapestry. . . It's this beautiful piece of art that we can really only understand when the time is right for us to understand. ” – Paul Fehrenbacher Paul Fehrenbacher is the Co-founder and CEO of Mutt Jackson as well as a Junto Institute alum. Life has thrown some major curveballs his way and Paul opens up about how he’s dealt with multiple tragedies in a short amount of time. Through all the hardships, Paul has stayed true to himself and is living life on his terms. “The greatest things in my life have come from the intersection of two random connections. And you can't have those unless you take the chance and invest in the relationship.” – Mike Schopin Our second interview today is with Junto mentor and partner at Zenfinity Capital, Mike Schopin. Sharing feelings doesn’t come easily to Mike so today he opens up about how he’s learned to slow down and be nicer to everyone he encounters. Mike also shares how parenthood has helped him keep calm. The Junto Institute is the only place where leaders and their companies grow together, helping them get to their desired next stage. Its leadership programs are built on a proven system of deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

“I would say having confidence is really key. Making sure that you're feeling comfortable talking about the technology and being confident in what you're actually talking about…Also confident that you're going to probably be the only woman in the room most of the time.” – Nikki Martin The telecommunications industry is dominated by men. In addition to the difficulty of the actual work, women holding leadership positions in the telecommunications space also have to deal with unwanted interactions. Nikki Martin, a Junto alum and Client Happiness Officer at Eclipse, breaks down what it’s like as the only woman in the room and also speaks candidly on her struggles with anxiety. Next, Chad Cooper, CTO of LandscapeHub and Junto mentor, talks about how having kids helped him achieve clarity and balance in his working life. Chad mused, “In a startup, you’re going to have a list longer than you can ever achieve. But if you have clarity, you can achieve the right things.” One of the key themes running through both conversations is the idea of active, generous listening. Being a generous listener is the trait that has helped both Nikki and Chad cultivate happy, efficient teams. Nikki Martin is the Client Happiness Officer at Eclipse and a Junto Institute alum. Prior to her time at Eclipse, she worked at It’s Just Lunch. Chad Cooper is the CTO and co-founder of LandscapeHub and a long-time Junto Institute mentor. Chad was previously CTO at Grubhub and GiveForward. The Junto Institute is the only place where leaders and their companies grow together, helping them get to their desired next stage. Its leadership programs are built on a proven system of deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Have you ever felt like an outcast? Most people have at one point or another, but for Kris Krisco, Chief Customer Officer at Buildout, feelings of being an outsider made him feel disconnected from family and friends. In time, he realized this was a strength. For our first conversation, Kris reflects on how feeling strange helped him better understand employees and customers on a human level. For our second conversation, we’re talking to Paul Pagel, CEO of 8th Light and Junto mentor. There have been times when, as a leader, Paul has wanted to dole out advice to help his team get unstuck. But advice isn’t as memorable as shared experience. For Paul, the memory of stories through shared experience stays with him and he is able to call upon those lessons more readily than on regular advice given. Today, Flourishing Together dives into the power storytelling plays in our lives before moving to a discussion of finding purpose and cultivating craft. Join Raman, Kris, and Paul as they parse out how leaders can impart knowledge in ways that are both memorable and accessible. Win Forever Kris Krisco is the Chief Customer Officer at Buildout, a commercial real estate software firm. Kris is also a Junto Institute alumnus and finds great purpose in nurturing both his team members and customers while delivering world class customer service. Paul Pagel is the CEO at 8th Light, a custom software development service. He is also a popular mentor at The Junto Institute. Paul is passionate about training and developing leaders, developers, and designers to create higher caliber software that makes the world a better place. The Junto Institute is the only place where leaders and their companies grow together, helping them get to their desired next stage. Its leadership programs are built on a proven system of deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Catherine Jelinek is the co-founder of The Junto Institute. Yet in the first few cohorts, she was often the only woman in the room. Things have changed dramatically since those early days and we’ve just completed our first year of JuntoWomen, a personal and professional growth network of women for Junto Apprentice and Alumni companies. Today on Flourishing Together, Catherine discusses feminine leadership and how the world could use a bit more of it. Raman happily acknowledges how his conversations with Catherine have helped him become more empathetic and have helped him become a better father to his teenage daughters. The two make the case that adding more women in positions of leadership helps to increase the emotional intelligence of the business community and inadvertently allows men to open up and be more vulnerable – something many crave but feel they can’t do because of societal expectations. The Junto Institute is the only place where leaders and their companies grow together, helping them get to their desired next stage. Its leadership programs are built on a proven system of deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

2019 was a year of renovation for Raman and The Junto Institute. As the year comes to a close, Raman decided to take some time to reflect on the challenges faced in 2019 and share his goals for Junto in the new year. Be the first to learn about The Junto Institute’s brand new online program and hear about upcoming changes to the Flourishing Together podcast. Raman closes by discussing the personal challenges he faced last year as well as what he’s done to make positive change. Listen and reflect on your own life as the new decade begins. On Being with Krista TippettOn the Brink of Everything by Parker J. PalmerThe Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Vera Kimmi is the VP of Sales at Forte Group. For Vera, the arts, particularly theater, nourish her soul. By embracing her need to be creative and perform, she has found that she’s a lot better at connecting with people at work. Our second guest, Kevin McShane is the Chief Revenue Officer at Affinitiv as well as a mentor at the Junto Institute. Kevin shares how reciprocity is key to his purpose. His goal is to mentor and help as many emerging leaders as he can. This service to others is his passion and having interactions with other organizations outside of his job has helped him grow as a leader. To conclude, Raman discusses his thoughts on happiness as well as why the idea of filling your bucket is a more lasting piece of the happiness puzzle. Vera KimmiKevin McShaneThe Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Aaron Fazulak co-founded DESIGNATION, a startup dedicated to design bootcamps. Amidst profound personal upheavals, Aaron personally financed the school to keep it afloat. His fortunes changed considerably when DESIGNATION was acquired by WeWork’s Flatiron School and he was finally able to spread the financial support to his employees. Now Aaron is back to the drawing board after a painful layoff from the company he helped found. On this week’s episode of Flourishing Together, Aaron talks to Raman about the rollercoaster of emotions inherent in startup life. Tune in for an honest conversation about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

On this episode of Flourishing Together, Raman talks to Dan Klein, CEO of Tiesta Tea. Dan shares a time where he found his response to a co-worker didn’t leave much room for discussion or creativity. He realized that if he listened and used more emotional intelligence in his approach, employees and co-workers would have more space to speak up about their ideas. Next, Raman sits down with Josh Chapman, the COO of LandscapeHub and a beloved Junto mentor. Like anyone starting a new position at a new company, Josh felt a bit anxious upon coming aboard at LandscapeHub. However, his new bosses were quick to tell him just how much they valued his work and were happy he had taken the job. This small gesture helped him banish his nerves and made him realize that feeling appreciated professionally was one of his career non-negotiables. Raman rounds out the episode with closing reflections. Dan KleinTiesta TeaJosh ChapmanLandscapeHub "The Power of Appreciation"The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Jen Davis recently became a Partner at The Junto Institute after going through the program and identifying areas of her life she knew she needed to change. Jen talks to Raman about how she got stuck in a painful pattern of being a human-doer rather than a human being both at work and in her personal life. It wasn’t until she embraced self-care that she found herself switching jobs and putting her health and happiness first. Next Raman talks to long-time Junto mentor, Jay Rudman, CEO of TopstepTrader. Jay has a unique ability to be empathetic with his employees while also keeping standards high. Jay shares how the book, Rocket Fuel, helped shape his leadership approach at TopstepTrader and talks about the idea of visionaries and operators. Raman closes the episode by diving into his love for definitions as he reflects on these complex conversations and the words ‘relationship’ and ‘partnership’. Jen DavisJay RudmanThe Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Mark Murrell is the Founder & CEO of Get Maine Lobster and Black Point Seafood. As an alumnus of the Junto Institute, Mark has reflected a lot on what empathy means. He talks to Raman about how empathy has evolved into three types: cognitive, emotional, and compassionate. Mark also discusses why all business leaders should encourage empathy among employees in addition to commerce and customers. Next, Raman talks to Junto Women’s Initiative mentor Paulina Caprio. Paulina is a Change Management and Culture Transformation Advisor. She discusses fear and how she has developed empathy about the feeling when it shows up for her and those she interacts with. Raman closes out the episode by defining the three types of empathy and how you can cultivate each in your own life. Mark MurrellGet Maine LobsterBlack Point SeafoodappreciationsPaulina Caprioappreciations Stephen Covey Daniel Goleman The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 25 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Chris Campbell is the founder and CEO of ReviewTrackers and a travel enthusiast. Chris shares his formative leadership experience of running a lemonade stand and discusses how travel helped him find and identify his true self. Chris and Raman dive into what the true self is and the deep work it takes to find it. Next, Raman is joined by Bryan Jurewicz, COO & CRO of Arrow Payments. Bryan is a lifelong athlete, even achieving a spot in the NFL. Athletics have long given Bryan a forum to develop his leadership skills and he talks to Raman about the evolution of how he came to be a believer in leading by example. Raman closes out the episode with a reflection on why leading by example is not just for the office. Inspiring others to be their best applies to your personal life just as much as your work life. Chris CampbellBryan JurewiczThe Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

This week’s episode of Flourishing Together challenges you to be true to your values. It takes a healthy dose of introspection and self-awareness to recognize when you’re not standing up for your convictions in both business and personal settings. Joe Rice, Co-founder and Managing Director of Acliviti, and long-time mentor Brian Burkhart sat down with Raman to discuss why it’s vital that you stay true to your beliefs, even when that means going against the grain. Our first guest, Joe Rice is an alumnus of the Junto Institute and has been using the skills learned in the program to navigate his journey toward greater self-awareness. He shares his struggle with people pleasing and his desire to have greater confidence to stand up for his beliefs. Joe also discusses his belief that empowerment is the key to healthy leadership. Next, Raman speaks with Brian Burkhart, Founder and Chief Word Guy at Square Planet. Brian has been a Junto mentor since 2013 and teaches classes on leadership communications for the institute. Brian’s new book, Stand for Something, teaches readers the value and importance of living an authentic life in harmony with core beliefs. He discusses how your beliefs dictate your actions and why it’s important that you know what you stand for. Raman closes out the episode with a reflection on the intersection between standing up for your convictions while still being generous to others. Stand for Something: The Power of Building a Brand People Authentically LoveStand for SomethingThe Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Kathy Steele is the CEO and Founder of Red Caffeine a growth consultancy that builds brands people want to work with and for. Red Caffeine was in one of the earliest Junto cohorts, going through the program as it continued to grow and evolve as a consultancy. Kathy and Raman dive into how she’s evolved herself as a leader over the last several years, which include difficult topics like a partnership fallout and succession planning. After Kathy, Raman is joined by Roy Stansbury, long time executive and mentor to Junto. Roy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his mentorship opportunities, having seen companies rise and fall during his long and distinguished career. Roy and Raman break down how organizations will naturally grow and evolve over time and the mistakes he’s seen play out as part of those org structure evolutions. Lastly, Raman closes the episode by reflecting on key takeaways from both conversations, both reflecting on personal relationships and the impact of the third force in business meetings and conversations. The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

This week on Flourishing Together we’re going back to the beginning to talk with two of the original members of The Junto Institute family. First is Dave Dyson is the CEO of Eclipse Telecom and alumni of one of the earliest Junto cohorts. Dave takes Raman through his growth journey, both professionally as well as personally. Then they discuss what it’s like to go through a separation with a business partner and how to embrace leadership as a lone wolf. Finally, find out how Dave shows clarity to others on his team so they trust and follow his vision. Next, Raman talks with Cathy Carroll. Cathy is the President of Legacy Onward and one of the first mentors at Junto. Her and Raman discuss her career transition from traditional corporate executive to coaching family businesses. Next, they cover how Cathy has grown over the past several years and how she spots and appreciates the ways family businesses differ from other types of business. Lastly, Cathy explains the role of clarity in her coaching and how she gives advice as a coach. Finally, Raman reflects on his conversations and how important the common theme of clarity can be in defining a life's mission, vision and values. Eclipse TelecomLegacy Onward The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

Flourishing Together brings together two special guests in this episode. First up is Kristi Zuhlke, founder and CEO of KnowledgeHound. Kristi was the first woman founder to go through the Junto program and has been involved with the program as a mentor ever since. They discuss her first recollection of leadership and how she approaches personal growth and leadership. Next, Kayne speaks with longtime Junto mentor Kayne Grau. Kayne has been an executive, investor, entrepreneur and mentor for the last 15 years. He’s currently the EVP of Sales at TradeRev. Kayne and Raman discuss the growing appreciation for emotional intelligence as well as humbling leadership moments. Lastly, Raman reflects on the concept that leaders, and humans in general, are always under construction and therefore must continue building capabilities and competencies. appreciations appreciationsThe Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

In this week’s episode of Flourishing Together, Raman Chadha sits down with Junto alumnus Chris Ruder, Founder/CEO of Spikeball Inc to discuss his commitment to listening and building self-awareness, the roots of his activism and philanthropy, and how his team at Spikeball loves out their company values day-to-day. Raman also talks with Junto mentor Grant Gochnauer, Co-Founder & CTO at Vodori Inc, about translating personal values into everyday decisions and professional life, how personal reflection can allow you to turn pain into progress and the daily habits that contribute to ongoing personal and professional growth. Finally, Raman shares his reflections on the difficulty companies have in putting language to core values and how looking to personal or family values can serve as a useful tool when crafting company those values. Chris RuderSpikeball Inc. appreciationsGrant GochnauerVodori Inc appreciations The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show Episode produced by www.dante32.com.

In the latest episode of Flourishing Together, Raman sits down with Michael Patak, CVO of TopstepTrader, to talk about his journey from trader to founder/CEO and why he ultimately decided to step down as CEO. They discuss leadership, spirituality and the vulnerability critical to Michaels success. Raman then sits down with Gaye van den Hombergh, Sr. Consulting Partner at Partners in Leadership. They have a frank conversation about the role of weakness in ones life, the privilege of choice how she’s definite leadership throughout her career. Finally, the episode closes with some closing reflections from Raman and the role he sees religion and spirituality plays in achieving more openness. Michael PatakTopstepTrader appreciations Gaye van den HomberghPartners in Leadershipappreciations The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show Episode produced by www.dante32.com.

In this week’s episode of Flourishing Together, Junto founder Raman Chadha sits down with Junto alumnus Patrick Tannous, Co-Founder and President of Tiesta Tea and Junto mentor John Barnes, Chief Technology Officer at Infutor Data Solutions, to discuss how self-management, discipline, and repetition build habits to strengthen the practice of emotional intelligence. Patrick Tannous Tiesta Tea round of appreciations John BarnesInfutor Data Solutions round of appreciations The Junto Institute runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show Episode produced by www.dante32.com.

In this first regular episode of Flourishing Together, Junto founder Raman Chadha shares engaging conversations with two members of the Junto Tribe. The first with Deborah Jackson, Founder, and CEO of Arrow Payments and a Junto alumnus. And a second conversation with Rich Lyons, CEO & President of Lyons Consulting Group, A Capgemini Company, and also a longtime mentor with the Junto Institute. Listen to hear how both Deborah and Rich practice personal growth and development on a daily basis as well as Raman’s closing reflections inspired by these conversations. Deborah JacksonFounder, and CEO of Arrow Payments round of appreciationsRich LyonsCEO & President of Lyons CG, A Capgemini Company round of appreciationsJunto runs a structured, designed Apprenticeship Program that is built on deep mentorship, emotional intelligence training, and teams learning together. Originating in 2012 in Chicago, IL, over 30 companies have participated in the Junto Apprenticeship program. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Flourishing Together in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show Episode produced by Dante32.