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What Are You Working Towards?

What Are You Working Towards?

Hosted by Chris Brodhead

BusinessInterviews guests

Episodes

178

Latest episode

Mar 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Chris Brodhead interviews founders, marketing directors, filmmakers, and other fascinating people about the goals that drive them to create. Each episode ends with one big question: What are you working towards? The answers are surprising, inspiring, and often deeply human. The goal of the show is to help listeners live lives closer to their dreams—more money, more joy, less work they hate. Previously the title of this show was The Ultra High Net Worth Clients podcast.

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60 recent
March 16, 2026Episode 20218 min

The Leadership Secret Behind $200M Growth: Culture, Trust, and the “Three T’s” | Josh Block

Josh Block is an entrepreneur, leadership speaker, and author of People Matter at Work. He is the founder of Cube Mobile Imaging, a company providing mobile MRI and CT imaging services across the United States to help expand access to healthcare.Before founding Cube Mobile Imaging, Josh served as President of Block Imaging, where he helped grow the company from roughly 50 employees to more than 400 worldwide and scale revenue to over $200 million. His leadership philosophy centers around the belief that strong workplace cultures drive both human fulfillment and business performance.In this episode, Josh shares how people-first leadership transforms organizations, why culture cannot simply be “maintained,” and the frameworks leaders can use to build high-trust teams that actually perform.We also discuss the key leadership decisions behind Block Imaging’s massive growth, the “Three T’s” framework for building healthy organizations, and why the future of leadership depends on authenticity, trust, and empowering others.If you lead a team, run a company, or want to build a culture where people truly thrive, this conversation is packed with practical insights.⸻Topics Covered• How Josh Block helped scale Block Imaging to over $200M in revenue• Why workplace culture is the biggest driver of long-term performance• The leadership philosophy behind People Matter at Work• Moving from a “Me-Cycle” to a “We-Cycle” inside organizations• The “Three T’s” leadership framework: Together, Thoughtful, Transparent• Why great leaders eventually give away the baton• How Cube Mobile Imaging is expanding access to healthcare• Practical steps leaders can take to build trust and engagement⸻About Josh BlockJosh Block is an American entrepreneur, author, and leadership speaker focused on helping organizations build people-centered cultures.He is the founder of Cube Mobile Imaging, a company delivering mobile MRI and CT imaging services across the United States. Previously, he served as President of Block Imaging, where he helped grow the company from roughly 50 employees to more than 400 globally.Josh frequently speaks and coaches leaders on culture, leadership identity, and building organizations where both people and performance thrive.He lives in Lansing, Michigan with his wife Lacey and their children.⸻Connect with Josh BlockWebsite:https://peoplematteratwork.com/Cube Mobile Imaging:https://cubemobileimaging.com/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshblock1/Book:People Matter at Work

January 12, 2026Episode 20317 min

Inventing an Entire New Food Category — Inside the Rise of BuzzBar Ice Cream with Randy Freeman

What does it take to create a product that literally doesn’t fit into any existing category?In this episode of What Are You Working Towards, Chris Brodhead sits down with Randy Freeman, Founder & CEO of BUZZBAR Ice Cream, to unpack one of the most unconventional entrepreneurial journeys you’ll hear.Randy shares how his career began in music, home video, and entertainment distribution — working alongside legendary industry figures — before eventually leading him to a single obsessive question: why doesn’t great ice cream exist for adults?That question sparked the creation of BuzzBar: premium ice cream and sorbet bars infused with real spirits.Since launching in 2014, BuzzBar has navigated regulatory gray zones, built its own manufacturing process, survived COVID shutdowns, and secured partnerships with luxury hotels, festivals, and major food service operators. Along the way, Randy explains why many national grocery chains are still hesitant to carry the product — and what it will take for BuzzBar to finally break through.Topics Covered: • Creating a product category that didn’t previously exist • Navigating alcohol, food, and federal regulations • Why grocery chains fear alcohol-infused ice cream • Building a profitable, self-funded company without hype • Surviving COVID when your entire channel disappears • The long game of partnerships, distribution, and exitsWhere You Can Find Randy & BuzzBar: • BuzzBar Website: https://buzzbaricecream.com/ • Randy Freeman (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-freeman-786354133/ • Email: randy@buzzbaricecream.comIf you enjoy honest founder stories, category-creating products, and behind-the-scenes business reality — this episode delivers.

January 5, 2026Episode 20020 min

How Your Brand Can Still Win in a Fragmented, AI-Driven World | Garth Weber (Duluth Trading Co.)

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” e-book athttps://working-towards.com/What happens when decades of brand storytelling experience collide with AI, digital fragmentation, and a new generation of consumers?Garth Weber, Chief Brand & Marketing Officer at Duluth Trading Company (https://www.duluthtrading.com/), joins me to unpack why brand still matters more than ever — and how the strongest companies maintain a single strategic point of view while adapting to constantly changing channels.With over 25 years of experience on both the agency and brand side, including formative years at Nike and Adidas, Garth shares the foundational principles he learned early in his career — and why those same principles still work in today’s AI-powered, creator-driven landscape.We explore how brands can evolve beyond legacy channels like catalogs, reach younger audiences authentically, and avoid losing coherence while scaling across markets.📌 Topics Covered:• Why brand is still the starting point for everything — even in an AI-driven world• How to maintain a single strategic imperative while localizing execution• Lessons learned from building and stewarding global brands like Nike and Duluth• Why emotional resonance and point of view matter more than channels• Reinventing legacy brands to stay relevant with younger consumers💡 Learn more about Garth Weber & Duluth Trading Company:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garth-weber/Duluth Trading Company: https://www.duluthtrading.com/🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDrApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the host and guest and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any companies or organizations they represent.

December 9, 2025Episode 19631 min

#199 The #1 Mistake Startup Founders Make When Seeking Seed Funding | Ian Levine

What makes an early-stage startup truly fundable — and why do so many founders miss the mark?In today’s episode, I sit down with Ian Levine, Managing Director of Launchpad Venture Group, one of the most active and respected angel investment networks in the United States.Ian has spent 15+ years investing in and syndicating early-stage deals and has helped grow more than 150 companies across New England and New York. Before Launchpad, he built and exited SaaS companies and held executive leadership roles at Bowne & Co., Merrill Corporation, and Iron Mountain. His combination of operator instincts and investor discipline gives him a rare, practical lens into what actually helps founders win.We dig into:• How Launchpad evaluates startups and why capital efficiency matters more than ever• The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching investors• Why distribution — not product — is the real scaling bottleneck• How angel groups fill a critical funding gap missed by VCs• What the Boston startup ecosystem gets right• Ian’s personal journey across startups, corporate leadership, and now operating one of the most influential angel groups in the country• What he’s working toward in the next chapter of his careerIf you’re a founder, investor, operator, or someone growing a team, Ian’s insights will reframe how you think about raising money and building a durable company.⸻Guest LinksLaunchpad Venture GroupWebsite: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launchpad-venture-group/Ian LevineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilevine/Company: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/⸻Host & PodcastChris BrodheadPodcast: What Are You Working Towards?Website: https://working-towards.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbrodhead/Download the free storytelling guide:How to Tell the Best Version of Your Business Storyhttps://working-towards.com/

December 4, 2025Episode 19824 min

#198 Building Multi-Million-Dollar Pools in the Sky — A Conversation with Greg Carnforth

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/What does it take to design, build, and install stainless-steel rooftop pools for some of America’s biggest cities? Greg Carnforth, President of Chester Pool Systems (https://www.chesterpools.com/), joins me to share the remarkable story behind one of the most specialized construction companies in the country.With 35+ years in the industry, Greg has helped transform Chester Pool Systems into the go-to provider for engineered stainless-steel pools across New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, Denver, San Diego, and beyond. In this episode, Greg walks through the engineering, logistics, and craftsmanship required to design and fabricate entire pool systems in Indiana — then hoist them onto rooftops hundreds of feet in the air.We also talk through Chester’s transition to a 100 percent employee-owned company, how the ESOP reshaped culture and collaboration, and the unique challenges of building inside billion-dollar high-rise projects.📌 Topics Covered:• How stainless-steel rooftop pools are engineered and fabricated off-site• Why off-site construction is essential for major cities like NYC and Chicago• The logistics, coordination, and “space shuttle launch” planning behind every install• How Chester grew from a small team to 100+ employees over several decades• The decision to become an ESOP and how it strengthened the company’s future• Why developers and general contractors trust Chester for specialty builds💡 Learn more about Greg and Chester Pool Systems:Website: https://www.chesterpools.com/Century Industries (co-owned): https://www.centuryindustries.com/LinkedIn (Greg): https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-carnforth-b54bba14/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesterpoolsystems5544Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greg.carnforth.1/🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDriTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the hosts, guests, and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

December 2, 2025Episode 19624 min

#196 The Hidden Skills That Create Elite Marketers with Chad de Lisle | VP of Marketing at Disrupt

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/Chad de Lisle, VP of Marketing at Disruptive Advertising, joins the show to break down what it really takes to build a mission driven, high performing marketing agency. With nearly two decades in digital marketing, Chad shares his journey from an aspiring English professor to leading one of the most respected performance marketing teams in the country.We dive into:• How Disruptive is growing toward a $100M vision• Why pairing purpose with performance drives real long term results• Scaling through people, culture, and clarity• The realities of leading marketing inside a marketing agency• AI’s role in the future of storytelling and brand growth• Chad’s creative passion project: the Heroic Round podcastThis one is full of wisdom for marketers, founders, and creatives who want to build something that lasts.Connect with Chad:"Heroic Round Podcast": https://www.youtube.com/@HeroicRound LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-de-lisle/Website: https://disruptiveadvertising.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noirwhale/X: https://x.com/noirwhaleFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chad.delisle.1/NoirWhale: https://noirwhale.com/NoirWhale Tumblr: http://noirwhale.tumblr.com/🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDriTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the hosts, guests, and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent…

November 25, 2025Episode 19721 min

#197 The Future of Legal Tech: Modernizing Finance, Compliance, and Risk for Law Firms with Bim Dave

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/Today’s episode features Bim Dave, CEO of Helm360, a global leader in legal technology transformation. Bim has spent more than 25 years helping law firms modernize their finance systems, compliance workflows, and risk management infrastructure. We explore his journey, the future of legal tech, and the innovation roadmap behind Helm360’s rapid growth.Bim shares how he went from a family-run newsagent business in the UK to leading global teams at Thomson Reuters, and now shaping the next chapter of Helm360. He also breaks down the major pressures facing law firms today, from legacy systems to compliance demands to the shift toward AI powered workflows.Whether you are in tech, legal, consulting, or leadership, Bim’s insights on transformation, customer trust, and scaling people-focused organizations are loaded with lessons you can use immediately.⸻Guest LinksHelm360 Websitehttps://helm360.com/Bim Dave on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bimaldave/The Legal Helm Podcasthttps://helm360.com/the-legal-helm-podcast/⸻Connect With Our GuestLearn more about Helm360’s legal tech solutions, cloud transformations, compliance systems, and AI readiness:https://helm360.com/Connect with Bim on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bimaldave/⸻🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDriTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the hosts, guests, and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent…

November 21, 2025Episode 19523 min

#195 How to Identify Customers Who Never Complain Before They Leave | Bill Price, Intendra AI

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/Bill Price is one of the most influential minds in customer experience — and he joined us to break down how AI is transforming CX, why 88 percent of customers never complain, and how companies can finally eliminate friction at scale.Bill was Amazon’s first Global VP of Customer Service, where he helped build the customer-centric philosophy that powered Amazon’s explosive early growth. Today he runs Driva Solutions and is the Founder & CEO of Intendra AI, a CX analytics platform that identifies intents, reduces operational drag, and uncovers the “silent sufferers” who quietly churn without ever contacting support.In this conversation, Bill shares insights on:• The real story of Amazon’s early customer-centric culture• Why “the best service is no service”• How large language models are rewriting the rules of customer service• The 88 percent of customers who never complain — and how to find them• Why first-contact resolution is now misleading• How companies across hospitality, banking, ecommerce, and B2B services can proactively fix hidden friction• What Intendra AI is building today and where CX is going nextBill is also the author of four must-read books on CX:• The Best Service Is No Service• Your Customer Rules!• The Frictionless Organization• Zero Complaints⸻Guest LinksIntendra AIhttps://www.intendra.ai/Driva Solutionshttps://drivasolutions.com/Bill Price on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-price-drivasolutions/Bill’s Bookshttps://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JSHFSM/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=a36f7561-fb02-460d-a0ea-ad2cd221d6a4&ccs_id=98438664-2c15-4575-8e8d-dfaa695e3bbd🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDriTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the hosts, guests, and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent…

November 19, 2025Episode 19432 min

#194 How To 10X a Traditional Business with AI and Systems | Ben Simpson, MyWorkwear

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/Want to 10X your blue collar or traditional business using technology?Ben Simpson, Managing Director and Co-Owner of MyWorkwear, reveals exactly how he modernized a 49-year-old workwear manufacturer and grew it more than 1,200 percent without losing the core values that made the company special.In this conversation, Ben breaks down the real playbook behind transforming a legacy business into a systemized, data-driven growth engine.We cover:• How to modernize a blue collar business without breaking what already works• The systems that replaced 40 filing cabinets and manual processes• Why culture and people matter more than any technology stack• How to use ERP, CRM, BI tools, and AI agents to create compounding efficiency• Turning brand awareness into long-term, high-value customers• The future of AI inside traditional industries• How MyWorkwear became one of the UK’s standout players in workwear and apparelIf you’re building, scaling, or modernizing any operations-heavy company — manufacturing, apparel, logistics, trades, services, e-commerce — this episode delivers a rare inside look at how to evolve fast without chasing shiny objects.Connect with Ben SimpsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-simpson-myww/?originalSubdomain=ukWebsite: https://www.myworkwear.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myworkwearcoAbout MyWorkwearA leading UK supplier of branded uniforms and workwear, serving thousands of businesses nationwide with a unique mix of modern systems and traditional manufacturing expertise.🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDriTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the hosts, guests, and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent…

November 14, 2025Episode 19319 min

#193 The Explosive Role of AI in Vehicle Optimization, Diagnostics, and Personalization

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/Dr. John Heinlein, Chief Marketing Officer at Sonatus, a global leader in vehicle software powering the shift toward software defined vehicles (SDVs) and AI-driven automotive innovation.John brings a unique blend of deep engineering expertise — with degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford — and more than two decades of senior leadership across marketing, automotive technology, business development, and system architecture.We dig into:• How SDVs work and why vehicles are becoming more like data centers• The transition from 150+ hardware ECUs to flexible, upgradeable software platforms• How automakers harness vehicle data, intelligence, and AI to improve performance• The infrastructure needed to support next generation automotive experiences• The explosive role of AI in vehicle optimization, diagnostics, and personalization• Why the automotive industry is attracting top engineering talent again• Sonatus’ rapidly growing footprint in more than 5 million production vehicles (soon to be 6 million)• The behind-the-scenes look at building a modern automotive software stackJohn also hosts The Garage by Sonatus, where he interviews top minds in vehicle software and mobility innovation.⸻Guest LinksWebsite: https://www.sonatus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnheinlein/The Garage Podcast (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02SS1Fp5GCjBUmXe4eTnEVdDLDViQXR2🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDriTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the hosts, guests, and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent…

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