Behind the Win

Hosted by Sarah Bertagnolli

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Episodes

151

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

At LSI, we don’t just follow trends, we help shape the future. Behind the Win is the podcast where we break down the biggest moves in tech, innovation, leadership, and government contracting. Hosted by Sarah Bertagnolli, this series features exclusive conversations with the people behind groundbreaking advancements, disruptive strategies, and industry-defining wins. From retail to defense, government solutions to emerging tech… this is where insight meets impact. If you’re building, leading, or just trying to stay ahead, it’s time to go Behind the Win.

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60 recent

June 16, 202631 min

Second Chances That Actually Work: Building Careers Through Job Corps

We hear a lot about workforce programs, training pipelines, and development initiatives, but the real question is what actually works? What actually changes someone's life, not just in theory, but in reality? Because behind every job placement, every certification, every success story, there's a person who made a decision to start over. Joining us today is Shannon O'Shea, director of the Clearfield Job Corps Center, where lives are being changed every single day through education, training, and opportunity.

June 9, 202611 min

The Roles of Congressional Staffers and Committees

In this episode, Josh Johnson, head of office operations and strategy for LSI in the Washington, D.C. region, shares insights from his 40-year career living and working in the nation's capital. Drawing on his 17 years of experience as a professional congressional committee staffer, Johnson breaks down the unique responsibilities, day-to-day realities, and vital role that committee staffers play in the legislative process.

June 2, 202631 min

From City Hall to Capitol Hill: Advocating for Small Business

Today's conversation is about something every business owner feels but not always knows how to navigate: regulation, policy, and having a voice in the system. We're talking about what it actually takes to cut through the red tape and create an environment where small businesses can grow and compete. Joining me today is Trent Staggs, regional advocate for the US Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, representing Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In this role, Trent serves as a direct voice for small businesses, working to influence policy, reduce regulatory burden, and make sure business owners are heard at the federal level. He also brings experience as the former mayor of Riverton, Utah, giving him a unique perspective from both local leadership and national advocacy.

May 26, 20267 min

Sam Beasley's Keynote Presentation from HIPE 2026

In this episode of Lift Up, we feature an insightful keynote speech delivered by LSI’s Sam Beasley at the 2026 Hill Industry Partner Exchange. Drawing from LSI’s extensive logistics work with complex organizations like CAL FIRE, Sam breaks down the hidden reasons why business partnerships fail and how to build alliances that actually last. Skip the performative "communication theater" and discover why true organizational trust is a byproduct of clear structure, how mismatched financial goals can quietly ruin a deal, and what it takes to future-proof your partnerships against sudden market disruptions.

May 19, 202633 min

Power, Chips, and Sanctions: The New Global Strategy Game

Today's episode is a special one for us, because I'm joined by someone who helped shape not only my own leadership journey, but also the trajectory of our company and the podcast. Sean Slatter is the former president and CEO of LSI, a lifetime leader in government contracting, and currently serves as chairman of the board. Over the course of his career, he has worked at the intersection of business, policy, national security, and international trade, and that perspective is exactly why er wanted him on the show today, because the world is entering what many analysts are calling a new era of strategic competition, where energy, technology, and economic pressure are increasingly being used as tools of geopolitical power. From tensions involving Iran and global energy routes, to the semiconductor race between the United States and China, to sanctions becoming one of the most powerful tools governments use short of war, today we're talking about how global power is shifting and what it means for business, policy, and strategy.

May 12, 202612 min

The Importance of Chasing the Right Opportunities

Are you chasing the right opportunities? Do you know what you're chasing and why? In this episode of Behind the Win's Lift Up Series, learn insider tips and tricks on knowing what opportunities are worth your time and what ones you have the highest chance of winning.

May 5, 202634 min

Public Service, Law, and Leadership Under Pressure

We're joined by Cisco C. Minthorn, an attorney and former federal leader whose career spans public service, law, and highly complex policy environments. Cisco has worked inside systems where decisions are scrutinized, consequences are long-lasting, and the margin for error is thin. This episode is about what it really takes to lead under pressure, beyond theory, beyond headlines, and what leaders outside government often misunderstand about how public service actually works.

April 28, 202618 min

Lift Up with Sam Beasley: Activity vs Progress

Our Chief Operations Officer, Sam Beasley, talks us through the differences between activity and progress, and how to tell if there's real movement or just motion. His experiences give him a unique perspective on how to make sure teams are spending their time on what matters the most.

April 21, 202624 min

Inside HIPE: Where Industry Meets Mission at Hill AFB

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today's conversation is about something happening right here in our backyard, but with national impact. We're talking about HIPE, the Hill Industry Partner Exchange, taking place May 5th through the 7th in Ogden, Utah. HIPE brings together leaders from Hill Air Force Base, industry partners, and organizations across the defense ecosystem for real conversations around mission needs, innovation, and collaboration. Joining us today is Sarah Tolliver, who plays a key role in bringing HIPE to life and connecting the people, ideas, and partnerships that make this event so impactful.

April 14, 202632 min

Energy, Leadership & America’s Competitive Edge

Welcome back to Behind the Win. Today we're joined by Joel C. Spangenberg, a leader whose career spans public service, energy policy, and national competitiveness. Joel has worked at the intersection of government, industry, and innovation as a government senior executive in both career, civil service, and political appointee roles, and today plays a critical role in shaping conversations around nuclear energy, economic resilience, and America's future workforce. At a moment when energy security, technology leadership, and economic competitiveness are front and center, Joel brings a perspective that bridges policy and real-world execution.