Older Podcasts
Episodes: 111-120
EPISODE 120
Greg Stephens interviews Jackie Swayze
Travel More Live Bigger
In this episode, I talk with Jackie Swayze about how she turned her love of travel into a full-time business while helping others realize that adventure does not have to wait for someday. Jackie shares how stepping outside her comfort zone, facing fear, and learning to maximize time and travel rewards helped her create a life filled with incredible experiences around the world.
About Jackie:
Jackie Swayze is the content creator behind Maximizing My PTO, where she helps people travel more often, more luxuriously, and for less money—without quitting their full-time jobs. Through practical tips, travel strategies, and personal stories, she shows how meaningful travel can fit into a “normal” life.
Known as a “little bit of everything traveler,” Jackie enjoys everything from Michelin-starred dining and historic city tours to rugged mountain adventures and remote expeditions. Her travels have taken her to 40 countries and all 7 continents, including experiences like sleeping in a glass pod on a cliffside in Peru and bungee jumping in New Zealand.
After five years in Chicago, Jackie recently moved to London with her husband, where they’re making the most of new European adventures together.
EPISODE 119
Greg Stephens interviews Jessper Maquindang
Running Toward Leadership
On this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast with host Greg Stephens and guest Jessper Maquindang, I sit down with Jessper to talk about perseverance, leadership, and the power of clear communication. Jessper shares how he overcame severe asthma to run 16 marathons and how that same mindset applies to leadership—taking consistent steps, building strong teams, and replacing assumptions with clear agreements that strengthen organizations.
About Jessper:
Jessper Maquindang is a Certified Executive Coach and Mentor (CECM), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and leadership strategist who helps entrepreneurs and executives build high-performing, self-sustaining teams. With an Executive Master’s Degree in Leadership from the University of Southern California, he combines academic insight with hands-on experience in HR, organizational development, and executive leadership. Jessper works with business leaders to avoid costly hiring mistakes, move beyond micromanagement, and scale their organizations with confidence.
An endurance athlete and marathon runner, he encourages leaders to approach business with resilience, purpose, and long-term vision. His mission is to help leaders build strong teams so they can focus on strategy, grow their impact, and create a meaningful legacy.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaquindang
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamiLEADManagementConsulting
Website: https://www.famileadconsulting.com
EPISODE 118
Greg Stephens interviews Craig Barlow
From Navy Discipline to Mountain Leadership
In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sit down with Craig Barlow, a former Royal Navy veteran turned performance and leadership coach. Craig shares how joining the Navy at 16 shaped his mindset, resilience, and approach to leadership. We talk about surviving a sinking ship, the power of preparation under pressure, and why true leadership begins with mastering yourself. Craig explains how he now helps high achievers build mental toughness through adventure-based experiences like Arctic expeditions and mountain crossings. This conversation is a powerful reminder that simplicity, discipline, and courage are built long before crisis ever hits.
About Craig:
Craig Barlow is a former Royal Navy leader who spent 13 years operating in war zones and extreme environments before building a private practice training high-performing men. He runs The Edge Operating System, a reset and leadership upgrade installed through off-grid expeditions in places like the Arctic and Spain’s Sierra Nevada. His clients are founders, investors, and family-office heirs who want sharper decision-making, clarity under pressure, and a proven structure that doesn’t collapse when life and business heat up.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-barlow-115345110/
Website: https://www.thecraigbarlow.com/
EPISODE 117
Greg Stephens interviews Brian Bogert
From Trama To Transformation
I’m Greg Stephens, and on A Shot of Inspiration podcast I sat down with Brian Bogert, who turned a devastating childhood accident into a lifelong mission to reduce suffering and help people live with clarity and courage. Finley made a quick cameo too.
About Brian:
Brian Bogert is a strategic voice amplifier and emotionally intelligent force multiplier who helps leaders scale with clarity without sacrificing their humanity.
He works with entrepreneurs, elite performers, and visionary creators to unlock alignment through human behavior, message precision, and scalable connection. Brian compresses time, cuts through noise, and transforms chaos into focused, decisive action.
With over 100 million video views and one of the most compelling comeback stories in the space, he brings raw authenticity, sharp insight, and undeniable energy to every stage, podcast, and training.
Brian believes technology should amplify truth and humanity…not replace it. Always human first.
“When you eliminate waste, you can operate at speed without the need to hurry.” – Brian Bogert
Personal Website, https://brianbogert.com/
Flipping the Lid Podcast, https://flippingthelid.com/
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bogertbrian
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/bogertbrian/
LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbogert/
YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhaMgY8q-tMMCj0rpGg7iw
EPISODE 116
Greg Stephens interviews Dr. Ben Maddox
Bigger Tables
I’m Greg Stephens, host of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, and in this episode I sit down with Dr. Ben Maddox for a powerful conversation on leadership, growth, and what it really takes to turn a job into a meaningful career. We talk about learning as the true measure of progress, building endurance through discomfort, leading with curiosity and emotional intelligence, and staying authentically yourself in environments that may not always understand you.
About Ben:
As Cornell University’s Chief Information Officer, Ben works across Cornell’s locations in Ithaca, New York State, and Cornell Tech in New York City to guide technology services, security, and strategy. Ben has held a variety of leadership roles in higher education including as the Chief Information Officer of NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU’s Chief Academic Technology Officer guiding Research, Teaching, and Learning technology across NYU globally. Ben holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Baylor University, a Master’s and Advanced Certificate degree from the Steinhardt School at NYU, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ben’s academic work focuses on intersections of systems: people, organizations, and technology. Ben explores how technology, innovation, leadership, and learning fuel change. Ben is a member of a number of non-profit boards and community organizations.
EPISODE 115
Greg Stephens interviews Heather Linchenko
Clean Conflict
On A Shot of Inspiration podcast I sat down with Heather Linchenko to talk about how relationships actually grow—not by avoiding friction, but by learning how to clean it, learn from it, and speak in ways that lower defensiveness instead of escalating it. Heather’s experience with Stephen R. Covey, her work with families and executives, and the hard lessons from raising five kids gave us a practical, hopeful roadmap for turning everyday conflict into deeper connection.
About Heather:
Heather Linchenko is an author, educator, and relationship coach who helps leaders and parents turn everyday challenges into deeper connection. A former executive assistant to Stephen R. Covey, she contributed to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and now works with families and executives on trust, communication, and conflict.
She is the author of I Meant Well (And Other Words That Kill Relationships), Letters from Kazakhstan, and If Kids Were Cookies, and creator of the Expand Your Influenceworkshop and MathHacked program. Shaped by cross-cultural life, faith, and raising five children, Heather brings clear, practical insight to relationships at home, school, and work.
Books:
A Relationship Training Work Workshop for executives
Letters of Kazakhstan
If Kids were Cookies
I Meant Well
EPISODE 114
Greg Stephens interviews Mark Labriola II
The Unexpected Path
On A Shot of Inspiration podcast with guest Mark Labriola II, I sat down with Mark to talk about resilience, healing, and how setbacks can become the turning point that leads you into your real purpose—from early trauma to building Brand Viva Media.
About Mark:
Mark Labriola II is the founder of Brand Viva Media, a creative agency he grew from his basement into an almost 7-figure business serving brands across the country. He’s a podcast host, video producer, and marketing strategist who helps entrepreneurs and organizations look bigger than they are through powerful content. As the host of The Friday Habit Podcast, Mark blends real-world business lessons with creative inspiration, drawing from his own journey of overcoming life’s challenges and refusing to let them define him. Instead, he’s built a career on turning obstacles into opportunities—and helping others do the same.
Resources:
EPISODE 113
Greg Stephens interviews Maruxa Murphy
Building Movements That Matter
In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast with host Greg Stephens and guest Maruxa Murphy, I sit down with Maruxa to explore what it truly means to build a movement—not just a business. We talk about leadership rooted in belonging, how purpose and profit can coexist, and why community built with intention creates lasting impact. Maruxa shares her personal journey, the influence of unconditional love on her leadership style, and how honoring humanity fuels sustainable growth
About Maruxa:
Maruxa Murphy is a visionary community strategist and founder of Revolutionary Communities and The Revolutionaries Network. With over two decades of experience, she helps impact-driven leaders build profitable, purpose-led communities that increase engagement, retention, and revenue. Her work has supported brands scaling from thousands to millions of members and has been featured in Forbes, Fox News, and The Huffington Post.
Website: https://revolutionarycommunities.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maruxamurphy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaruxaLive
EPISODE 112
Greg Stephens interviews Eric Kaufmann
Conscious Leadership That Changes Culture
In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast with guest Eric Kaufmann, I talk with executive development leader Eric Kaufmann about the difference between conscientious leadership and conscious leadership—and why real leadership requires personal evolution, not just “doing the right thing.” Eric shares a powerful personal story about facing an inner critic in deep solitude, and we connect it to how leaders shape organizations, families, and society. We close with a practical framework: moving beyond the ego’s need to be right, liked, or in control into wisdom, love, and grounded power
About Eric:
Eric Kaufmann is a Zen-trained executive coach and strategist who works with C-suite leaders navigating growth, complexity, and cultural transformation. He has advised executive teams at companies including Verizon, Facebook, SunPower, Circle, Dr. Bronner’s, and ASML. Eric is Chairman of the Board at Dr. Bronner’s, a Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Coaching, a TEDx speaker, and the author of Leadership Breakdown and The Four Virtues of a Leader.
His work centers on helping leaders move beyond Ego-Myopia™—the need to be right, liked, or in control—and lead with wisdom, love, and grounded power. A lifelong Zen practitioner, Eric brings a rare blend of business insight, psychological depth, and presence-based practice to leadership development.
Greg Stephens interviews Thom Singer
Real Leaders Show Up
In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I talk with Thom Singer about the human side of business—relationships, community, and why real leaders show up. Thom shares how he built a speaking career, what COVID taught him about not relying on one stream of income, and how he’s reinventing the Austin Technology Council to keep Austin’s tech community connected.
About Thom:
Thom Singer is the CEO of the Austin Technology Council and a sought-after keynote speaker known for bringing the human side of business to life. He speaks to organizations that value relationships, trust, and accountability as drivers of success.
With a background in sales and marketing, Thom became a growth leadership speaker in 2009 and has since delivered high-energy, action-oriented presentations to more than 1,000 audiences. Known as “The Conference Catalyst,” he creates engaging, interactive experiences and remains actively involved with attendees before, during, and after events.
Thom earned his Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation in 2014. He is the author of 12 books and the host of the Making Waves at C-Level podcast, where he has interviewed over 1,000 business leaders about closing the gap between potential and results.
He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and two daughters.