Taking the Leap

This episode with my friend and HBS classmate Todd Wilcox was recorded before Todd was nominated for his current role as Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. We speak about his background and views on business and the world. Todd Wilcox was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security (DS) on October 14, 2025. In this role, he leads the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State, ensuring a safe environment for U.S. foreign policy operations. He oversees a global team of Special Agents, Diplomatic Couriers, Security Engineering Officers, Security Technical Specialists, contractors, and administrative personnel.Mr. Wilcox brings decades of leadership experience as a decorated combat veteran, former CIA case officer, and successful entrepreneur. Before joining the State Department, he founded Patriot Defense in 2005, a company dedicated to supporting those who defend America. He served as its Chief Executive Officer for 10 years before transitioning to Executive Chairman, where he guided the company’s vision and acquisition strategy.Prior to his business career, Mr. Wilcox served as an Arabic-speaking CIA Field Operations Officer focused on Middle East and counterterrorism issues. His final assignment was as the CIA Liaison Officer to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Orlando. He joined the CIA in 1997 after serving in the U.S. Army, where he earned the Green Beret as a Special Forces A-Team commander and completed a combat tour during Operation Desert Storm.Mr. Wilcox’s achievements have been recognized by the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award, and the Orlando Business Journal’s Veterans of Influence Award. He has served on the boards of the National Defense University Foundation, RAND Corporation’s Center for Middle East Public Policy, and the Orlando Economic Partnership.An active member of the Young Professionals Organization (YPO), Mr. Wilcox also serves as Treasurer of Business Force, a nonprofit political action committee.

Our guest today is Larry Wright Jr., the CEO and President of Wright Investments. His multi-generational family business represents over 200 hotels and 26,000 hotel rooms in 28 states. They specialize in hospitality investments, hospitality management, and hotel and real estate capital projects. Larry graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. He then earned his Master's Degree at NYU and graduated from the Harvard Business School OPM program. Larry is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and an avid outdoorsman.I am excited to learn more from Larry about the hospitality industry, the story of how his father got started, what Larry learned leading his company through the COVID shutdowns that radically impacted his business, and how he inspired confidence in his staff during challenging times. I also have questions on how he navigates today's difficult political climate while serving customers, why continued learning is important to him and his career development, and what books have impacted him most. This will be a fascinating discussion, so let’s jump right in.

Our guest today is Christine Assouad, the CEO of Dunkin Donuts Lebanon and Semson Lebanese Cuisine. She has been successfully growing and leading restaurant brands in the Middle East for over 27 years. She is a board member of Food and Beverage companies in the Middle East and provides business workshops at conferences in in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Lebanon. Her work also includes business development, franchising, and acquisitions across the MENA markets. Christine is passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship through the “Empowering Tribe” community, where she helps provide online classes, bootcamps, and one-on-one CEO coaching to empower female entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential. Christine earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the American University of Beirut. She received a Master of Science in Food Science from McGill University and a Master of Marketing from the ESA Business School. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program and a member of the Young Presidents Organization, also known as YPO. I am really excited to learn more from Christine about her journey leading various businesses, overcoming obstacles in her career, reinventing herself at 47, mentoring next-generation leaders, and her passion for spreading a little happiness and joy in all she does. I know you will be motivated and inspired to hear her story, so let's jump in.

Our guest today is Jim Klonairs. Jim and his wife, Lori Klonaris, make up a dynamic team that has changed the face of Knoxville's hospitality and restaurant scene for the past 30 years. Together, they are the co-founders of Spaces in the City, where Lori is the CEO, and Jim is the creative genius behind the iconic Knoxville restaurants and spaces like the Kalamata Kitchen, Cafe4, Kefi, Vida, The Vault, The Press Room, The Square Room, City Catering, and Bella in Maryville. Jim is a serial entrepreneur, having worked in multiple industries, including hospitality, janitorial, consulting, real estate, and commercial development. Jim earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design from the prestigious University of Tennessee. Jim is also active in his local community, supporting the Prison Ministry Men of Valor as an executive board member.I am excited to learn more from Jim and what he has learned as a serial entrepreneur, the leaps he has made in his journey, how he overcame bankruptcy early in his career, and the importance he places on education and personal growth. 

Adam Hancock is a national award-winning State Farm Agent from Montrose, Colorado. He has a wealth of experience as a third-generation state farm agent and is a recipient of their prestigious President’s Club. Adam got his professional start in the United States Navy, owned a landscaping business, and then followed in his family's footsteps into the insurance industry. Adam studied engineering at Colorado Mesa University and has his BA in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. In this conversation, we'll explore Adam’s journey from the Navy to State Farm and the key questions young people, middle-career professionals, and those nearing retirement should ask about their insurance coverages and needs for their life stage. I’m interested in unpacking these questions and many more to ensure our listeners have the proper protections for their families and that your long-term objectives are being met so lets jump in!

William Norvell, the co-founder and President of Forte, a company that's revolutionizing the way businesses support their most valuable asset: their people. Under William's leadership, Forte's mission is not just to provide counseling services but to transform the culture of corporate mental health.  William brings a wealth of experience from venture capital, private equity, and investment banking. He has a degree in Finance from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is a principal at Sovereign’s Capital, co-founder, podcast host, and contributor of The Faith Driven Entrepreneur. In this conversation, we'll explore William's journey from a keen investor to a compassionate entrepreneur, the challenges and triumphs of building a startup to tackle workplace stress, and his vision for a world where mental health is prioritized as physical health in our work environments. Join us as we unpack the story behind Forte and learn from William's incredible insights on mental health, entrepreneurship, and creating change within the corporate landscape. To learn more about Forte visit their website: https://www.getforte.com/To listen to The Faith Driven Entrepreneur visit their website: https://www.faithdrivenentrepreneur.org/podcast

Our guests today are Cody Newton and Dr. Doug Cleveland. Cody Newton is a serial entrepreneur, having started or been involved in over 20 companies, including professional sports, franchising, direct sales, and the energy markets. He is dedicated to democratizing renewables, carbon credits, and recycling for home and business owners in his latest project with Carbon X Solutions. Dr. Douglas Cleveland is a trained Anesthesiologist from the University of Chicago with a Medical Economics Certificate from the Harvard Business School. Doug is also an entrepreneur with expertise in process and operational efficiencies and shares Cody’s passion for the energy and renewables space and the impact it can have on the environment. I found this story fascinating, as two entrepreneurs with vastly different backgrounds saw the same problem and figured out a way to complement each other with their diverse approaches to business. They built a team and tackled a problem many experts said was impossible. This conversation will highlight the complexities and challenges of starting a new venture when everyone around you says it can’t be done. If there is one thing I have learned from all these interviews, it is that entrepreneurs almost always have to defy the odds and many naysayers along the way to launch a product or service that is new, innovative, and world-changing.Learn more at www.CarbonXSolutions.com Show Notes:3:00 - Doug begins by sharing how he entered his entrepreneurial journey. He shares how he started out in med school to become an anesthesiologist and started practicing anesthesiology but became restless to do more and learn more.6:00 - Doug shares his background, where he got his various degrees, and where he completed his professional training.7:00 - Cody shares his background of growing up in a small farm town, embarking on getting a degree from Kansas State and pivoting to become an entrepreneur. 13:00 - Doug discusses breadth vs. depth in the medical field and how that translates to his entrepreneurial journey.Quote: “Riches are in niches.” 16:00 - Doug and Cody share some “key lessons” they learned early in their careers that would be valuable to young people starting out in their careers to help speed up their entrepreneurial journey. They share the 26:00 - Cody and Doug share how they discovered carbon credits and why they were led to participate in this “green movement” to help the environment, as well as businesses and homeowners participating in this movement.31:00 - Cody discusses the posture of his heart toward smaller and medium-sized businesses when involving them in this industry. He shares his goal to make this attainable for small and medium-sized companies to utilize this business opportunity. Quote: “We can expand this green revolution faster as we make it more accessible.”40:00 - Cody shares the story of how he found himself in the right spot at the right time to make a partnership and how this reflects the entrepreneurial experience of living intentionally in everyday life. Quote: “If you always plant seeds, the harvest will come over time.”“If you’re passionate about something, the worst thing you can do is keep it inside.”42:00 - Doug chimes in and shares his story when meeting Cody and beginning their partnership.48:00 - Cody and Doug discuss the struggles and obstacles they have faced and had to overcome throughout their journey. They share what they have learned from that process.54:00 - Bob asks how they balanced seeking counsel and guidance while pursuing their goals when they may have been advised not to.Quote: “The experts don’t always have the same vision that you do… take what they say with a grain of salt.”59:00 - Doug and Cody share what they foresee the next 3-5 years to look like for this industry and talk about what they hope to accomplish in these future opportunities. 1:07:00 - Bob asks Doug and Cody to share their favorite books“Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown, “The Obstacle Is The Way” by Ryan Holiday, “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius, “Intentional Living” by John C. Maxwell, “Seize The Day” by Danny Cox, “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson, “Carbon Trade” by James Prosper, “The Captain Class” by Sam Walker, and “The Bomber Mafia” by Malcolm Gladwell1:15:00 - Bob asks Doug and Cody what words of encouragement they would give to a class of MBA students amidst the complexity of our current marketplace and what they would share to inspire them in their careers. 

Danny Fehsenfeld is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, known for his versatile contributions as an actor, singer/songwriter, public speaker, and writer. With a rich career that spans across various mediums, Danny has left his mark on audiences worldwide. He is recognized for his role as "Gil" on "The Young & The Restless" and his compelling presence on YouTube with over 250 million views. As the face of national campaigns for brands like Jeep, Chrysler, and 5 Hour Energy, Danny's influence in advertising is undeniable, with award-winning Super Bowl commercials and notably setting trends with his viral campaign for Nordnet.His voice acting prowess is showcased in the Oscar-winning "Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse," and he stars in several major animation features, including "Chickenhare & The Hamster Of Darkness" and "Latte & The Magic Waterstone," both acclaimed on Netflix. Danny is also the voice behind "Bogota" in the globally celebrated series "Money Heist" (La Casa De Papel).On-screen, Danny's notable roles include Nelson Stone in the TV series "Scarlett" and appearances in "The Upshaws" and "The Day You Found Me." His vocal talents extend to the music industry, backing icons like Celine Dion and John Legend, and leading the praise band at the Crystal Cathedral.Growing up on the road with a public speaker father, Danny's early life was filled with travel and homeschooling experiences that shaped his passion for art and communication. Today, he continues to inspire through his performances and as a speaker at various events, embodying the transformative power of creativity and imagination.Show Notes:4:00 – Danny shares his story, his “La La Land” journey, as he falls in love with singing and acting and begins to follow his dream. He talks about the tenacity and faith it takes to follow a dream to Hollywood.12:00 – The entertainment industry is built on selling perception. The entertainment industry is not so much interested in what is best but what is being bought. He shares how to become and remain relevant in the industry.“Art itself is always a reflection of the culture from which it is derived… anytime you try to regulate art, it ceases to exist; art in its purest form is freedom.” 20:00 – Danny shares his first “big break” and how that altered his perception of his finances. He then talks about experiencing an empty feeling after starring in a #1 film as he immediately started to think about what came next. “Who I am as a man always takes precedence over my accolades.” 26:00 –  “How soon can I buy my freedom?” Danny shares what things were most important to him– not being bound to a day job, freedom to travel, etc– and what he did to achieve those goals financially.32:00 – How to be an entrepreneur in the entertainment industry, the mindset and habits needed to have success!“All that fear and anxiety is excitement with a negative outlook.” 48:00 – Danny shares his background and how he began his journey of self-discovery. He talks about how he reprogrammed his mind to restructure his life. He talks about the power that the words you speak and the thoughts you possess have over your reality.1:05:00 – Major career “breakthroughs” followed a changed mindset and lifestyle. He discusses the differences in the genres he has worked within– musicals, animations, comedies, and more– and what he enjoys about each process.1:10:00– Danny discusses the industry logistics of how the studio works when recording animation films and the creative methods that he can implement when acting.“The four deepest fears of humanity are the fear of death, rejection, failure, and public speaking. I think the fear of public speaking is connected to some of those other fears.” 1:15:00 – Danny talks about the different segments of voiceovers and the commercial industry segments. He then talks about the process of casting within commercials.1:24:00 – Danny gives his insight on how the watching habits of America (switching over to streaming services) affect the industry. In the same way, technology and innovation impact everything, it impacts this industry. 1:27:00 – Danny talks about how the writer's strike impacted the entertainment industry. “Every time you have a strike, it’s not just the artists that are out of work; you are affecting the economy and the entire state drastically.” 1:33:00 – Danny analyzes where he foresees zones of opportunity in the future of his career. He shares how he can look at his life in a way where he makes the decisions. He is moving towards being in the “driver's seat” with what he delivers.1:42:00 – Danny shares his perspective about what he has seen of other people in the industry who are not willing to go through the dream, struggle, victory process. He shares his experience with and around these “opportunity hoppers” who are just looking for instant home runs.1:48:00 – Danny discusses the process motivating him over the end success. Danny says that the best life is balance, balancing love for the process with achieving your goals.1:54:00 – Danny talks about how he learns best and where he has sought mentorship. Along with this, he talks about his time reflecting and introspecting. Danny says that applying your understanding garners more knowledge and wisdom beneath what you have been taught.“I would primarily like to be remembered as someone who loved well.” 2:00:00 – Danny shares his last bit of advice on how to overcome the limitations that only exist within your mind.Books - “Who Switched Off My Brain: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions” by Dr. Caroline Leaf, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", "The CashFlow Quadrant"Follow Danny Fehsenfeld on Instagram and Facebook @DannyFehsenfeld and check out www.DannyFehsenfeld.com

Today's distinguished guest is Hervé Larren, the entrepreneurial force behind Airvey.io, a company dedicated to building, supporting, and providing expert advice to Web 3.0 ventures. Hervé emerged as a pioneer in the cryptocurrency realm, adopting Bitcoin and blockchain technology early in 2013 and becoming one of the early initial crypto miners in the United States. His strategic foresight led to capitalizing on his mining endeavors through public vehicles with Grayscale, and he has recently been elected to be a special council member for the ApeCoin DAO. Throughout his illustrious career, Hervé has imparted his knowledge to over a dozen prestigious projects, such as Horizen Labs and the innovative Yuga Labs’ ApeCoin. His vision was instrumental in the early work in Decentraland and helping create one of the largest commercial zones in the the Metaverse. He also played a key role in developing the Horizen ZEN token. Hervé's expertise has not gone unnoticed; his profile has been elevated through features in leading publications, including CoinTelegraph, Forbes, Bloomberg Magazine, and The Huffington Post, as part of the American Express Spotlight Series. His insights have graced television screens on Bloomberg, KTLA, and E! News. As a guest speaker, Hervé has shared his knowledge of the crypto and blockchain economic revolution at over 30 international conferences across 10 countries. Before venturing into the entrepreneurial landscape, Hervé honed his skills with prestigious tenures at luxury conglomerates LVMH and Pernod Ricard. An alumnus of the Harvard Business School Presidents' Program, Hervé also holds an MBA from Columbia Business School. His leadership qualities and keen insights have earned him membership in the elite Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).Show Notes:"Nothing discussed in this podcast should be considered investment advice. This conversation is for informational and, hopefully, entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!"03:47 - Hervé discovers "Plan B" = Bitcoin08:30 - "If you mistrust your country, you will mistrust a digital currency they create."12:30 - How did Hervé manage psychologically living at the cutting edge of a new technology movement when most of his peers did not understand it and thought it was crazy? 18:00 - What are the problems crypto was solving? This is what entrepreneurs do...find a problem and solve it.20:00 - What are Hervé's predictions for the future and things he is excited about?Value investing and linear growth vs. network effects and metcalfe's law.30:00 - Real-world problems and use cases for blockchain technology.35:00 - These projects provide new governance opportunities to protect the community.38:00 - The power of community and the network.52:00 - "The swings are very big in Web 3.0...because of this, it is quite easy to see who is committed to the space." Commitment is everything, especially when things are down. Your best relationships will be built during bear markets. Book RecommendationsOutlive - Dr. Peter AttiaCurtis Jackson - Hustle HarderAtomic Habits 1:00:00 - Personal longevity hacks as a global traveler"You are the CEO of your health! Know your numbers."1:03:00 - Where is a good place to start your journey in this space? Everyone's journey is different. "Everyone will get Bitcoin at the price they deserve!"What would Hervé say if he were asked to give a State of the World address? Follow Hervé on LinkedIn at Hervé Larren and on X @hervelarren_ (Airvey), and Instagram at Hervelarren.

Ryan is the Founder, President, and CEO of Niles Industrial Coatings in Fenton, Michigan which he has led for close to 21 years. NIC is a best-in-class safety, coatings, and technology company focused on commercial and industrial painting across North America. As a serial entrepreneur, Ryan has founded and led multiple companies in the home building, commercial scaffolding, commercial services, and investing areas. Ryan is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Medical Technology and is currently in the Harvard Business School President’s Program. Ryan is also a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO). Fun fact, Ryan and I both graduated from Grand Blanc High School, where I was a year ahead of him, so this was fun for me to connect with an old friend. I respect Ryan’s business intellect and how he leads by example, with humility and authenticity, and putting his people first. He has created a unique learning culture within his company and is having a noticeable impact on his community. He is an incredible husband and father who leads with character and integrity and knows how to live life to the fullest.  You will enjoy this conversation, so let's jump in! Show Notes:4:00 – Ryan begins by sharing his origin story. He shares his experience growing up in a family business and why he wanted to leave to chart his own path, leading into why he “took the leap.” He says that his father encouraged him to get out of the family business and pursue something more “stable.” 9:00 – Ryan talks about his experience being laid off from his job in 2002 and the emotions and lessons that came with that. He then begins to start his own business but struggles to get his family to get on board. With the support of his dad, he gets his new business started. Quote: “I see consistently that at your lowest point at your darkest hour in life, generally, that's when the seeds of your greatest successes are being planted and people just have to have faith through those dark seasons.” – Bob 12:00 – Ryan states that he wants to raise his kids to be fearless because he feels that fearlessness is what built him. 13:00 – Ryan shares how his wife supported him in the “unstable” parts of his career and how his dad’s partnership impacted his life and career.  15:00 – Rod breaks down the biggest pivots that he made and how fearlessness played into those, one of the decisions being joining YPO. How important is it to him to protect the fearless trait within him to grow and manage his business?  Quote: “It amazed me. When you really want something, how much you can get done.” – Ryan 19:00 – Ryan delves into his business endeavors with his dad, where he experiences extreme risk-taking. He emphasizes the importance of having high trust with your partner, the power of negotiation, and the efficiency that comes with valuing people and caring about the customer. Quote: “I think it [the margin] improved more from the culture and what we did once we started investing in the people and our equipment and that's what drove the margin not the pricing, and I think people miss that so often.” – Ryan 26:00 – Ryan shares how he views risk and why he leans into it. Ryan says that recognizing his gift of connecting the dots and being aware of things around him helps him to take risks. He shares that he takes risks when he has fully thought them through and trusts that he understands the risk that he is taking. 31:00 – Ryan shares that his secret power is his ability to pick up the phone to ask questions and be open to opinions and viewpoints. How important are different points of view and perspectives when it comes to decision-making? 34:00 – Ryan talks about his upbringing and struggles with not feeling naturally smart. He talks about the importance of finding your gifts and leveraging them. He says that having humility is vital when realizing your gifts and weaknesses.  37:00 – Ryan shares the ways that he helps his team find their giftings and lean into them to help them get joy out of what they are doing. He states that teaching his team to understand themselves is the starting point as well as accepting that everyone is a different kind of leader. Quote: “Our purpose is to unlock potential.” – Ryan 45:00 – Bob emphasizes that it all starts with asking the right questions to unlock value. 47:00 – Ryan delves into what “Niles Industrial Coatings” is doing and the notable projects that they have done and are currently working on. He states that their focus is bringing better solutions to major corporations. 53:00 – Ryan sheds light on the truth that you are going to fail. Why is it important to not always follow the status quo but to be looking for new territories to expand to? How do we learn quickly and recover quickly? 56:00 – Ryan shares why he identifies his company as a “technology company.” 59:00 – Entrepreneurship and business leadership comes with obstacles and sometimes “life or death” decisions. Ryan goes back and highlights times of crisis in his career and shares how he navigated these times. Quote: “Things are never good forever, things are never bad forever.” 1:10:00 – Ryan dives into his family life and how he has been able to build balance in his life running a company and being a family man. He is honest and says that it is a life of extremes– a lot of business time and a lot of family time. 1:15:00 – Ryan shares his favorite family traveling experiences. 1:18:00 – Ryan shares the main takeaways from his YPO trip to Italy, mainly about family businesses. 1:20:00 – Ryan talks about what motivates him and excites him about his work every morning. 1:25:00 – Lightning round questions. 1:27:00 – Final question: “If you were going to give the State of the Union address tonight and have the opportunity to talk to the entire country, what would you say?