Success Leaves Clues
Success Leaves Clues is a podcast spotlighting the stories, strategies, and transformations created by today’s top career, leadership, executive, and other coaches.Each episode dives into the real-world journeys behind coaching businesses, how they started, scaled, and succeeded, along with lessons learned, client success stories, and practical takeaways for aspiring or established coaches.Whether you’re helping professionals pivot careers, grow as leaders, or step into entrepreneurship, this show offers an inside look at what it takes to build a purpose-driven, profitable coaching practice.
Mazdak Chinichian on Moving from Corporate IT to Entrepreneurship
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Mazdak Chinichian, a Montreal-based ICF-accredited self-leadership coach who helps independent IT consultants and high-performing professionals transition from an employee mindset to confident, self-led entrepreneurship.
With more than 22 years of experience in engineering, IT, agile, and organizational change management, Mazdak shares how his corporate career led him to coaching and why technical expertise alone isn't enough to build a successful business.
They discuss the challenges of leaving corporate life, overcoming imposter syndrome and perfectionism, setting boundaries, finding the right clients, and learning to communicate your...
Why Niching Down Can Grow Your Business with Josh Chernikoff
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Josh Chernikoff, an education entrepreneur and coach who shares his journey from building and exiting businesses to helping education companies create more consistent growth. He discusses the importance of finding the right client, niching down, charging for your value, and building a repeatable approach to generating leads and revenue.
You can find him on:
https://joshchernikoff.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuachernikoff/
https://www.facebook.com/joshua.chernikoff
https://www.instagram.com/joshuadcdc/
Email at: [email protected]
...
From Medical Bills to Million-Dollar Community of Purple Cirecle with Davis Nguyen and Myrna King
In this episode Myrna King sits down with Davis Nguyen, founder of Purple Circle. Davis shares his accidental journey into coaching — initially building a side hustle to pay off medical bills and how it evolved into an elite community for coaches and leaders focused on long-term impact, lifestyle freedom, and real client results.
You can find Myrna on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/myrnaking/
find Davis on
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamdavisnguyen/
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You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:
ht...
How Sales Leader Steve Richard Built Two Companies While Raising Four Kids
Most entrepreneurs think the trade-off is simple: build the business or be there for your family. Steve Richard says that’s a lie, and he’s brutally honest about what it cost him to find out. From failing 22 investment banking interviews and stumbling into sales, to building a service business, launching one of the earliest conversation intelligence products, and raising four kids in the middle of it all, Steve shares the real story behind the wins.
Along the way, he breaks down the counterintuitive sales habits that turned him from a terrible rep into a top performer, the mome...
Mitch Tublin on Building a Business That Adds Real Value
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Mitch Tublin, a business consultant, executive coach, professional speaker, and founder of Wencroy International.
Mitch shares his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, including the lessons he learned about building a consulting practice, choosing the right clients, and creating a business that delivers meaningful value.
He explains why entrepreneurs need to understand the true cost of their time, avoid the limitations of hourly pricing, and focus on clients who are motivated to grow. Mitch also discusses how referrals, LinkedIn, storytelling, and public speaking can...
He Guarantees You a Job (Or He Keeps Working With You): Tom Kent from CareerNerds
In this episode Davis Nguyen sits down with Tom Kent, founder and CEO of CareerNerds and a 1995 West Point graduate who served as an Army Military Intelligence Officer. After a career with roughly 20 jobs across several cities, including multiple layoffs, Tom learned how to land a better offer every time, and turned that into a coaching business he started about seven years ago.
He began by helping military officers and academy graduates transition into corporate roles, and now coaches managers and executives. Tom shares how his program combines personal branding (resume, LinkedIn, elevator pitch), a structured networking...
Andrea Kovacs on the Psychology Behind Money and Wealth
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Andrea Kovacs.
Andrea Kovacs, partner and wealth manager at Fairview Wealth Advisors, shares her journey from investment banking to wealth management and what led her to build a career focused on helping individuals and families make better financial decisions.
Andrea explains why money is deeply connected to psychology and behavior, and why understanding a client's goals, fears, and motivations is just as important as understanding their numbers.
She discusses how financial advisors can help clients navigate major life transitions, including retirement, career c...
Justin Perkins on Building Stronger Leaders Through Coaching
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Justin Perkins, founder of New Edge Coaching and co-founder of Founders Oasis.
Justin shares his journey from entrepreneurship, athletics, and music into transformational executive coaching, and how his own experiences shaped the way he works with founders and CEOs.
Justin opens up about building his coaching practice during the challenging transition of 2019–2020, including the failure of a previous business, managing a day job, and learning how to regulate himself under pressure.
He explains how starting with pro bono coaching helped him g...
Todd Wall on Why Frameworks Bring Freedom in Communication
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Todd Wall, an executive and communication coach who shares how frameworks can help leaders communicate with greater clarity, authority, and impact.
Todd explains how his background in sports broadcasting, television production, pastoral leadership, and coaching shaped his approach to communication. He discusses why “frameworks bring freedom,” why people buy outcomes rather than labels, and how coaches can listen to what the market actually needs instead of simply trying to sell “coaching.”
The conversation also explores Todd's approach to storytelling, audience psycholog...
The Gut Check Framework That Helps You Ignore Bad Advice with Desiree Kashey
Desiree Kashey, co-founder and CEO of Trevor Kashey Nutrition, joins Davis Nguyen to explain cognitive nutrition and the “gut check” framework for making better health decisions. They discuss how to sort through conflicting advice, build practical skills, and make sustainable progress that fits your life.
You can find Desiree Kashey on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireekashey
https://www.instagram.com/desireekashey/
https://trevorkasheynutrition.com/
Support the show
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavesclues
You can also watch Succ...
Finding Your Path Through Career Transitions with Margaret Jones
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Margaret Jones, a certified executive and leadership coach and founder of Anchored Intention Consulting. Margaret shares her journey from corporate life into coaching, the power of taking action through uncertainty, and what she has discovered about helping people navigate career transitions and find their next direction.
You can find her on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-jones-cec/
https://anchoredintention.com/
https://www.instagram.com/anchoredintention
Support the show
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:
...
One Miracle a Day: A Journey From Fear to Purpose with Junna Liao
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Junna Liao, founder of MMDC Alchemy. Junna shares her journey through major life and career transitions, the lessons she discovered about fear and authenticity, and how those experiences shaped the way she helps others create meaningful change.
You can find her on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmdcalchemy/
https://mmdcalchemy.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mmdc.alchemy/
Support the show
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavesclues
You...
Why Great Leaders Need to Master Storytelling with Katy Temple
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Katy Temple, a former sportscaster who turned decades of high-stakes media experience into a coaching practice for business leaders. She shares insights on entrepreneurship, communication, storytelling, and the lessons that shaped her journey.
You can find her on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katytemplemediacoaching/
https://www.katytemplemediacoaching.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@katytemplemediacoaching2243
https://www.youtube.com/@therealshiftshow
https://www.instagram.com/ktoncam/
Email: [email protected]
Support the show
You can also watch this...
From Therapist to Coach: The Power of Taking Action with Lisa Kaplin
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Lisa Kaplin, a psychologist turned executive coach and professional speaker. Lisa shares her journey from therapy to coaching, the lessons she learned while building her business, and how taking ownership, setting boundaries, and embracing change can shape both personal and professional growth.
You can find her on:
https://www.lisakaplin.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LJKaplin
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakaplin/
https://www.instagram.com/lisakaplin/
Support the show
You can also watch this podcast on...
Building a Business Without Betting Everything on It with Jimmy Cockerton
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Jimmy Cockerton, a UK-based entrepreneur, author, and impact investor. Jimmy shares insights from his journey beyond corporate life, building businesses, testing ideas, and finding a more meaningful path through entrepreneurship.
You can find him on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmycockerton/
Support the show
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavesclues
You can also watch Success Leaves Clues Podcast on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavesclues
Enjoying...
Building a Business Without Losing What Matters with Claire Olinik
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Claire Olinik, CEO of Good Harbor Works. Claire shares her journey from music education into entrepreneurship, the identity shift that came with building a business, and some of the lessons she discovered along the way.
You can find her on:
https://goodharborworks.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-olinik/
Support the show
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavesclues
You can also watch Success Leaves Clues Podcast on YouTube:<...
Juliana Sih on Finding Your Authentic Leadership Style
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Juliana Sih.
Juliana Sih, professional certified coach and founder of Crescendo, shares her journey from biotechnology research to building a coaching practice focused on personal growth, leadership, and transformation.
She discusses how coaching found her after discovering personal development, what it was like leaving the security of a corporate career, and how her ideal clients evolved over time. Juliana also explains her approach to helping small business owners delegate, develop authentic leadership skills, and stop getting stuck in the weeds, while helping new managers na...
Naomi White on Finding Clarity After Leaving Corporate Leadership
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Naomi White. Naomi White, executive coach, leadership advisor, and founder of Naomi White Advisory, shares how her journey from senior corporate leadership to entrepreneurship shaped the way she works with leaders today.
Naomi discusses the challenges of leaving corporate life, finding clarity in her business, and defining who she serves. She also shares how she helps senior leaders navigate significant transformation, overwhelm, and high-pressure environments while creating a safe space for honest conversations.
The conversation explores authenticity, leadership, imposter syndrome, the changing world of wo...
Liina Fadaee on Navigating Leadership Transitions and Executive Growth
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Liina Fadaee, a leadership transition advisor, executive coach, and founder of Consult For Growth.Liina shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship and explains how her work evolved from career coaching into helping senior leaders navigate complex leadership transitions.She discusses her Executive Growth Accelerator framework, leadership identity, mindset, executive positioning, stakeholder relationships, and why successful leaders sometimes need to rethink how they operate when stepping into a new role.
Connect with
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liina-fadaee/
Website: https...
Paul Kristopher on Accountability, Communication, and Building Better Teams
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Paul Kristopher, co-founder and director of innovation at Accompany Suite, where he helps businesses improve communication, leadership, accountability, and team dynamics.
Paul shares his journey from construction into coaching and explains how experiences with his family, employees, and business owners shaped his approach to accountability and personal growth.
He also discusses the importance of putting the right people in the right roles, avoiding micromanagement, understanding different communication styles, and creating systems that allow teams to operate independently.
Connect with
...
Johnny Liang on Reinventing Yourself After 20+ Years in Corporate America
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Johnny Liang, a certified executive and career coach who helps professionals navigate career transitions and transform their impact.
Johnny shares his journey from spending more than 20 years in corporate America and working in HR, compensation, benefits, and total rewards to becoming a coach and entrepreneur. He opens up about the difficult identity shift that came with leaving the corporate world, the challenges of becoming a solopreneur, and the assumptions that can hold us back during major life transitions.
Johnny also discusses how networking, AI...
How Great Leaders Turn Awkward Conversations Into Progress with Hilary Blair
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Hilary Blair, co-founder and CEO of Articulate, Real and Clear. With a unique background in acting, coaching, and leadership development, Hilary brings a fresh perspective to how we communicate, show up, and connect with others.
From navigating discomfort and building confidence to embracing more meaningful conversations, this episode explores what it really takes to communicate with authenticity and create progress in both business and leadership.
Hilary also shares insights from her journey of turning an unexpected career path into a successful business dedicated to...
Courtney K. Ford on Turning a Career Transition Into a Business
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Courtney K. Ford, founder and CEO of CKF Collective, a leadership transition advisory firm supporting nonprofit CEOs, boards, and executive teams through high-stakes change.
Courtney shares her journey from rising through the nonprofit sector and helping raise more than $1 billion to unexpectedly building her own business after a major career transition. She discusses the challenges of selling yourself instead of a mission, learning how to price your expertise, finding her ideal clients, and coaching first-time CEOs and C-suite leaders.
She also shares lessons from...
From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief: LauraLynn Jansen’s Journey
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is LauraLynn Jansen, PhD, PCC, an author, leadership innovator, and speaker with more than 26 years of experience in coaching, facilitation, and training. LauraLynn shares her journey through coaching, leadership, and personal growth, offering a thoughtful perspective on what it means to stay connected to the human side of leadership in a rapidly changing world.
You can find her on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralynn-jansen-phd-pcc-980b5a15/
https://lljansen.com/
Support the show
You can also watch this podcast on...
Turning Business Ideas Into Stories That Connect with Charles McFarland
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Charles McFarland, founder of Theatre of Commerce.
Charles shares his journey from a 25-year career in theater into business coaching, leadership, and marketing, and how his experience directing and producing more than 60 shows continues to influence the way he works with businesses today.
He explores the connection between theater and business, the role of storytelling in creating meaningful connections, and why understanding your audience can change the way you approach your brand.
Charles also discusses finding the right lane in business, building str...
Martha Kesler on Finding Your Niche and Building a Meaningful Coaching Business
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Martha Kesler, founder of Congruism and an executive and recovery coach with more than 35 years of experience helping leaders create meaningful change.
Martha shares how her passion for seeing systems and helping people enjoy their work led her to coaching. She opens up about building her own business, the challenge of marketing to everyone, and how she eventually found her niche in recovery coaching for high-performing professionals.
She also explains her Four R framework—Repair Relationships, Restore Credibility, Rebuild Trust, and Reclaim Impact—and shar...
Why Helping Everyone Can Hurt Your Business and Your Mission with Dr. Abeyna Jones
Dr. Abeyna Jones shares how she transitioned from practicing medicine to building a global platform that helps doctors explore non-clinical careers, leadership, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
With a mission to connect one million doctors with diverse non-clinical careers by 2030, Abeyna discusses the importance of setting boundaries, focusing on the people you can genuinely help, and scaling your impact through content, events, and community.
She also opens up about the deep personal work behind her professional growth, including motherhood, separation, identity, gratitude, and learning to filter out the noise. This is an honest conversation about reinvention, purpose...
Stop Living Someone Else’s Career: Finding Clarity & Purpose with Jeff Weidauer
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, Jeff Weidauer, a Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source, shares his journey after spending more than 30 years in the corporate world.
Jeff talks about why he decided to leave corporate life and build a career that gave him more control over his time and work. He also shares how he now helps people who are thinking about a career change understand what they truly want, beyond just salary, job title, or benefits.
We also talk about the difference between coaching and mentoring, finding clarity when ma...
High Performance Secrets for Business Owners and Coaches with Bruno Pecly
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Bruno Pecly, a mental performance coach and the founder of Mind Lab Performance. Drawing from his experience working with high-performing athletes, entrepreneurs, and business owners, Bruno shares his perspective on the connection between mindset and performance. The conversation explores the importance of focus, identity, leadership, positioning, and taking meaningful action, along with valuable lessons on building a business and performing under pressure.
You can find him on:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mind-lab-performance/
https://brunopecly.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bruno_pecly/
...
The Founder Bottleneck: Business, Mindset & Freedom with Adam Mayhew
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Adam Mayhew, co-founder of A Game Consultancy, shares his journey from the corporate tech world to coaching, including how sobriety, meditation, and self-development changed the direction of his life.
Adam also explores how he helps ambitious founders overcome burnout, stop becoming the bottleneck in their businesses, and create more freedom. He shares insights on finding the right clients, understanding their real pain points, building a personal brand, and using your unique story to stand out.
You can find him on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammayhew/<...
The Secret to Captivating Any Audience: Storytelling with Robert Kennedy III
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robert Kennedy III (RK3), communication and leadership strategist and founder of Kinetic Communications, shares how he went from teaching high school science to discovering his passion for professional speaking and leadership development.
Robert explores why you shouldn’t try to become someone else, but instead identify and build on your own unique strengths. He also dives into the power of storytelling, keeping an audience engaged, finding the right clients, and building a team that can scale your expertise without losing what makes your work unique.
He also shares on...
Morgan Ratcliffe: Why B2B Marketing Doesn't Have to Be Boring
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Morgan Ratcliffe, co-founder and managing director of Noticed, a B2B marketing and storytelling agency based in Manchester, England.
Morgan shares the unconventional story of building Noticed with his brother, Nial, from working remote jobs while studying in the US to building a team of 20+ people, serving clients across eight countries, and scaling the business past £1 million in revenue.
Morgan explains why he believes B2B marketing doesn't have to be boring and why businesses need to think beyond traditional outbound, ads, and SEO. H...
Wendy Kim: How to Lead With Authenticity Without Losing Yourself
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Wendy Kim, keynote speaker, certified executive and life coach, and international bestselling author of Beyond Blending In.
Wendy shares her powerful journey from corporate leadership to building a six-figure coaching business and discovering what it really means to follow the pull toward meaningful work.
She discusses the challenges women face in traditionally masculine corporate environments, why many women feel pressured to suppress their femininity to be taken seriously, and how leaders can develop greater self-trust, authenticity, and confidence.
Connect with
<...
Building a Lifestyle Business Without Sacrificing Freedom with Brad Clark
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Brad Clark, Certified Financial Planner and co-founder of Finchley Finance, shares why he chose to specialize in working with content creators and creative business owners and how finding the right niche can transform a business.
Brad also dives into the psychology behind money, understanding the deeper “why” behind financial goals, and building genuine relationships with the right clients. He shares lessons on marketing, getting advice from the right people, and avoiding the entrepreneurial echo chamber while creating a business designed around freedom, quality, and long-term relationships.
You can...
Lindsey Schiel: How to Build Confidence, Charge More, and Lead Boldly
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Lindsey Schiel, a transformational leadership coach who helps high-achieving women navigate career transitions, leadership challenges, and the question of “what’s next?”
Lindsey shares her journey from nearly two decades in corporate leadership to building her own coaching business. She opens up about the challenges of becoming an entrepreneur, including learning sales and marketing from scratch, dealing with the loneliness of business ownership, finding her ideal client, and building confidence in the value of her work.
Pedro and Lindsey also dive into one of the bi...
Nicola Anderson: Stop Being Trapped in Your Own Business
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Nicola Anderson, founder of Capacity to Grow, a UK-based strategic advisor and fractional COO who helps SME founders break free from the day-to-day operations and build businesses that support the life they actually want.
Nicola shares her journey from 25 years in corporate and construction leadership to becoming an entrepreneur, explaining how she turned her experience into a consultancy focused on helping business owners grow beyond the £5 million stage.
She discusses why founders often become trapped inside their own businesses, how to build teams they c...
Mary Kemp on How AI Transformed Her Business
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Mary Kemp, co-founder of AI Potential, a consultancy helping organizations adopt generative AI in a way that feels human, practical, and safe.
Mary shares her remarkable journey from working as a nurse in New Zealand to building a successful sales and marketing agency and eventually pivoting completely into AI. She explains how ChatGPT changed the way she viewed her existing business and why she decided to shut down her agency and embrace the opportunity AI created.
Mary also discusses how AI should be treated...
Kris Martin on Leadership, Sales, and Building High-Performing Teams
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Kris Martin, a certified Focal Point Business and Executive Coach based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kris shares how his experience in the military, college football, cybersecurity sales, and leadership shaped his approach to coaching. He explains why he sees himself as a “non-equity accountability partner” who helps business owners, sales professionals, and leaders gain clarity, improve communication, and become more intentional about reaching their goals.
Kris also discusses the importance of proactive leadership, building a strong team culture, setting clear expectations, and addressing problems before they...
From Near-Death Experience to Leadership Coach with Rachel Wexler
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Rachel Wexler, an executive coach and leadership development partner who works with executives and leadership teams at companies up to $200 million in revenue.
Rachel shares how a serious ski accident changed her perspective on life and pushed her to finally pursue coaching. She reflects on leaving a stable corporate career, overcoming the fear of starting, and embracing change.
She also shares insights from her work with executives and what she has learned about self-awareness, trust, and effective leadership.
You can f...
Dr. Rachel Deleveaux on Building Sustainable Organizational Change
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, host Pedro welcomes Dr. Rachel Deleveaux, founder and principal consultant of Transformative Culture Solutions.
Rachel shares how her consulting career started organically with a nonprofit opportunity in 2005 and eventually grew into a business focused on solving complex organizational problems. She explains why she sees consulting and coaching as complementary, especially when it comes to creating sustainable change, building capacity, and developing a strong sense of belonging within organizations.
Rachel also discusses her word-of-mouth approach to business growth, how she measures organizational culture through tangible data such as...
