When I first met Nate Wakeford, I knew this conversation would be different. Nate built one of Australia’s leading specialty beverage companies, supplying thousands of cafes and even tech giants like Google and Twitter. By all accounts, he had “made it.” But what happens when success and comfort still leave you feeling empty?

In this episode of Leadership Backstage, I go behind the curtain with Nate to explore his incredible journey—from corporate success to a spiritual awakening that changed everything. Nate opens up about:

✅ Losing his mother and how that triggered a profound shift

✅ Why more money and more success didn’t equal fulfillment

✅ The moment he embraced “the void” and let go of fear

✅ How sovereignty became his guiding principle

✅ His vision for Thrive Villages and creating environments where humanity can truly flourish

This is one of the most raw and inspiring conversations I’ve had. If you’ve ever felt stuck, wondered what’s next, or questioned the meaning of success, this episode is for you.

📌 Connect with Nate:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-wakeford-48ab32/

🎧 Subscribe to Leadership Backstage for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and transformation.

👉 If this resonates with you, please like, comment, and share—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

#LeadershipBackstage #NateWakeford #SpiritualAwakening #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipTransformation #EntrepreneurJourney #Sovereignty #ThriveVillages #LifeOptimization #LeadershipPodcast #MindsetShift #SelfRealization #ConsciousLeadership #IdentityShift #SuccessBeyondMoney

I had the privilege of sitting down with Jason Fralick, President and CEO of HRG, for this episode of Leadership Backstage. Jason’s story is incredible; he went from a college graduate to leading an engineering services firm with over 400 employees. What makes HRG unique? Their commitment to employee ownership through an ESOP.

In our conversation, Jason shares the benefits and challenges of building an ownership culture, why accountability matters, and how strategic planning shapes long-term success. He also opens up about his leadership style, personal experiences, and the importance of having a strong support system.

If you’re curious about leadership, organizational culture, or what it takes to grow a sustainable business, you’ll love this episode.

What you’ll learn:

• How ESOP transforms company culture

• Jason’s leadership journey and lessons learned

• Strategic planning for growth and engagement

• Balancing visionary thinking with execution

• Why support systems matter for leaders

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Employee Ownership

00:39 Welcome to Leadership Backstage

01:25 Meet Jason Fralick: CEO and President

03:43 HRG's Growth and Expansion

04:34 Understanding ESOP and Ownership Culture

11:37 Jason's Journey and Leadership Insights

22:02 Navigating Leadership Challenges

28:06 The Role of a Founder in Business

29:08 Visionary Leadership and Organizational Redesign

30:58 Strategic Planning and Long-Term Vision

35:45 Balancing Deep Thinking and Execution

46:52 The Importance of a Support System

51:06 Personal Insights and Reflections

55:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below and let me know what resonated with you.

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#Leadership #EmployeeOwnership #ESOP #BusinessGrowth #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #HRG #Podcast #LeadershipBackstage #CEOInsights #StrategicPlanning #EmployeeEngagement #VisionaryLeadership

Hi, I’m Claudia Williams, and this episode of Leadership Backstage is one you don’t want to miss. I had the privilege of sitting down with Mark Bonsall, former president of Conrad Siegel, to talk about his incredible journey from introverted number cruncher to respected leader.

Mark opens up about the challenges of leadership, the power of mentorship, and how sports shaped his approach to personal growth. We also dive into Conrad Siegel’s unique client-first culture, navigating generational shifts, and leading through crises like COVID-19. If you’ve ever wondered whether introverts can thrive in leadership, this conversation will inspire you.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, comment, and subscribe for more real leadership stories. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what’s the most valuable leadership lesson you’ve learned? Share it in the comments!

What you’ll learn in this episode:

How high school sports shaped Mark’s leadership style

His journey from introverted professional to CEO

Navigating generational shifts and leading through COVID-19

Why listening matters more than speaking

Practical advice for aspiring leaders and introverts

Building a client-first culture and mentoring future leaders

#LeadershipBackstage #MarkBonsall #IntrovertedLeader #LeadershipPodcast #MentorshipMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessLeadership #COVIDLeadership #SportsAndLeadership #CareerGrowth #LeadershipSkills