You, Me, and Your Top Three

Hosted by Gregg Garrett

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184

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Jan 2026

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About the show

You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their "Top 3" closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own "virtual board of advisors." Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.

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60 recent

January 28, 2026Episode 17857 min

Becoming the Chief Connecting Officer (wsg Erik Wille)

Host Gregg Garrett speaks with Erik Wille, CTO of Cabinetworks Group, about the journey of Technology Leaders in the AI era. Erik shares his "Top 3": Jennifer, his wife, who keeps him balanced in leadership; Seth VanderVlucht, who helps him balance faith and his profession; his father, who taught him how to always give it his all; and his MBA "Crew"–Andrew, Michael, Geoff, and Drew–who act as his personal advisory board. And you have to hear what he says about disconnecting. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (1:02) The changing role of Technology Leaders (7:58) Meet Erik Wille The "Top Three": (10:30) Erik's wife, Jennifer: Keeps him balanced in leadership (14:43) Seth VanderVlucht: Helps Erik balance faith and his profession (20:25) Erik's father, Larry: Taught him how to always give it his all (24:35) Erik's MBA "Crew": Act as his personal advisory board Other Points of Interest: (33:11) Erik's transition from CISO to CTO (38:57) The evolution of CIO roles and the path forward (48:33) Friction leads to change You Have to Hear This: (54:52) Force yourself to disconnect . LINKS AND RESOURCES Erik Wille: LinkedIn Cabinetworks Group: Website | LinkedIn Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

January 7, 2026Episode 1771 hr 0 min

Learning to Fall Down (wsg Bob McClure)

Host Gregg Garrett speaks with Bob McClure, a founder and leader at McClure's Pickles, about bravery, learning from failure, and Bob's own non-traditional path to leadership. Bob shares his "Top 3": Joe, his business partner and brother, who helps him diversify his thoughts and actions; his parents, whose entrepreneurial spirits encouraged him to take risks and adventure; his wife, Natalie, who reminds him that the most precious resource is time; and his informal CEO group, who act as an advisory board. And you have to hear what Bob says about listening more than you talk. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (1:10) Pivoting after failure (8:30) Meet Bob McClure The "Top Three": (10:22) Brother and business partner, Joe: Helps him diversify his thoughts and actions (15:35) Parents: Encouraged him to take risks and adventure through their entrepreneurial spirits (22:10) Wife, Natalie: Reminds him that the most precious resource is time (30:20) Informal CEO group: Act as an advisory board Other Points of Interest: (36:38) About McClure's Pickles (42:22) Market changes and necessary pivots (50:44) Automation in McClure's and the industry You Have to Hear This: (58:17) Listen more than you talk, and celebrate others . LINKS AND RESOURCES Bob McClure: Email | LinkedIn McClure's Pickles: Website | LinkedIn Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

November 26, 2025Episode 17655 min

The AI Consumer Is Coming (WSG Jeff Greenfield)

Host Gregg Garrett speaks with guest Jeff Greenfield, an expert in Full Funnel Marketing Analytics and Founder/CEO of Provalytics, about the consumerization of AI and how to ensure your marketing dollars drive ROI. Jeff shares his "Top 3": his wife, Cheryl, who has taught him that the hardest part is showing up; Bill Harvey, who is driving more and more value, almost seeing around corners with his career-long perspective; and Houdini, who taught him that 90% of success is in managing the setup, not the trick itself. And you have to hear what Jeff says about analyzing your dreams. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (01:09) The consumerization of AI (4:44) Meet Jeff Greenfield The "Top Three": (7:34) Jeff's wife, Cheryl: Taught him that the hardest part is showing up (12:37) Bill Harvey: Driving more and more value, almost seeing around corners with his career-long perspective (19:43) Houdini: Taught him that 90% of success is in managing the setup, not the trick itself Other Points of Interest: (22:23) The importance of the message (28:22) Marketing in the era of AI You Have to Hear This: (53:05) Analyzing your dreams . LINKS AND RESOURCES Jeff Greenfield: Website | LinkedIn Provalytics: Website | LinkedIn Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

November 12, 2025Episode 17546 min

Finding Opportunities in the Problems (WSG Jordi Lombarte)

Host Gregg Garrett and guest Jordi Lombarte, EVP & Senior Technical Advisor at AUTOLIV, together discuss how leaders must envision disruptive potential. Jordi shares his "Top 3": Jose, who took a chance on Jordi and taught him how to remove emotion from big decisions; Maria, his first hire and an expert in stakeholder management; and Chris, who is able to share brutal facts and face things head-on. And you have to hear what Jordi says about adding value reflection. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (1:13) The First Mile of Transformation (5:34) Meet Jordi Lombarte The "Top Three": (11:05) Jose Company: Took a chance on Jordi and taught him how to remove emotion from big decisions (14:28) Maria Malagrida: Jordi's first hire and an expert in stakeholder management (19:19) Chris Koprowicz: Possesses an ability to share brutal facts and face things head-on Other Points of Interest: (26:29) AUTOLIV and road traffic safety (34:30) AI in partnership with human intelligence You Have to Hear This: (43:25) Adding value reflection . LINKS AND RESOURCES Jordi Lombarte: LinkedIn AUTOLIV: Website | LinkedIn Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

July 16, 2025Episode 17458 min

Building & Blurring the Bridge (WSG Todd Loiselle)

Host Gregg Garrett and guest Todd Loiselle, CIO of National Food Group, sit down to discuss blurring the bridge between technology and market value. Todd shares his "Top 3": Mary McLive, his first grade teacher who taught him to be empathetic and how to activate his super power; Tony Williams, his former colleague at PwC, who taught him how to be a man with a life and career; former CIO of Mastronardi and Colony Hardware, Michael Pellegrino, who taught him that fear mongering was not necessary to be a CIO and that he needed to network; and Executive Strategic Coach Rick Collison, who taught him to shift his perspective. And you have to hear what Todd says about vision boarding. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (2:04) Building bridges between unlikely islands (8:18) Meet Todd Loiselle The "Top Three": (11:46) Mary McLive: Taught him to be empathetic and how to activate his superpower (28:47) Tony Williams: Taught him how to be a man with a life and career (35:56) Michael Pellegrino: Taught him that fear mongering was not necessary to be a CIO and that he needed to network Other Points of Interest: (40:31) Networking as a career multiplier (44:00) Surrounding yourself with CEOs (50:31) Top Three addition, Rick Collison: Taught him to shift his perspective You Have to Hear This: (53:48) Vision boarding . LINKS AND RESOURCES Todd Loiselle: LinkedIn National Food Group: Website | LinkedIn Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

May 28, 2025Episode 17347 min

Leading Through Reflection (WSG Gina Thorsen)

Host Gregg Garrett and guest Gina Thorsen, CEO of Jacquart Fabric Products and the Stormy Kromer brand, sit down to discuss the power of reflection. Gina shares her "Top 3": her father and former Stormy Kromer CEO, Bob Jacquart, who taught her how to be plucky; Lane Clark, who helped her learn to asynchronously reflect; and Karen May, a fellow small business owner and peer with whom she can reflect and mutually relate. And you have to hear what she says about closing the book on your week. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (1:01) Seeing the forest through the trees (4:28) Meet Gina Thorsen The "Top Three": (7:25) Gina's father and former Stormy Kromer CEO, Bob Jacquart: Taught her how to be plucky (15:44) Lane Clark: Helped her learn to asynchronously reflect (20:30) Karen May: Fellow small business owner and peer with whom she can reflect and mutually relate Other Points of Interest: (23:47) The Ironwood experience (30:14) Textile industry landscape (37:49) Iconic Stormy Kromer caps You Have to Hear This: (43:55) Closing the book on your week . LINKS AND RESOURCES Gina Thorsen: LinkedIn Stormy Kromer: Website | LinkedIn Jacquart Fabric Products: Website | LinkedIn Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

May 7, 2025Episode 17246 min

Proving Them Right (WSG Jared Rosenthal)

Host Gregg Garrett is joined by Jared Rosenthal, an entrepreneurial leader who has journeyed through both the not-for-profit and for-profit worlds. Together, they discuss a formula for driving team performance and how the rise of AI might change this strategy. Jared also shares his "Top 3": MT, who taught him to give people a chance; Anthony Petecca, who helps him skip-level and "talk to the people"; and his family, who taught him to own his business to own his life. And you have to hear what he says about being yourself to drive authentic leadership. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (2:55) The importance of high performers (3:35) Mixed AI-HI teams (4:46) Meet Jared Rosenthal The "Top Three": (6:50) MT, COO of Jared's former organization: Taught him to give people a chance (18:05) Anthony Petecca, Jared's VP of IT & Security: Helps him to skip-level and "talk to the people" (22:35) Jared's girlfriend and family: Taught Jared to own his business to own his life Other Points of Interest: (24:52) Understanding your team (26:56) Discussing AI and other disruptors (38:14) Embracing technology and understanding intelligence You Have to Hear This: (44:07) Be yourself to drive authentic leadership . LINKS AND RESOURCES Jared Rosenthal: LinkedIn Health Street: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

April 23, 2025Episode 17154 min

Bending the Rules (WSG Judy Asher)

Host Gregg Garrett speaks with Judy Asher, President of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWT) and Corporate "Rule Bender", about the relationship between disruption and innovation, and the common thread of shifting rules. Judy also shares her "Top 3": Alan Mulally and Lesley Ma, who embody authenticity; Martin Wolfertz and Mark Johnson, who demonstrate resilience; Vijay Sankaran and Roger Court, who inspire her. And you have to hear her suggestion about centering yourself. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (1:03) Disruption and the shifting gameboard (3:35) Aggressive transformation (4:47) Meet Judy Asher The "Top Three": (11:36) Alan Mulally and Lesley Ma: Embody authenticity (25:01) Martin Wolfertz and Mark Johnson: Demonstrate resilience (30:45) Vijay Sankaran and Roger Court: Inspire her Other Points of Interest: (35:12) Making a difference in IT leadership (39:43) MCWT's mission (47:29) Get involved You Have to Hear This: (51:24) Centering yourself . LINKS AND RESOURCES Judy Asher: LinkedIn MCWT: LinkedIn | Website Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

February 26, 2025Episode 17014 min

Act Like a Child (A Solocast with Gregg Garrett)

Want to unlock innovation? Start by rediscovering your inner child! In this solocast, host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, urges you to embrace curiosity, imagination, and experimentation in the workplace. He explores the power of asking "why," the magic of hands-on creation, and the freedom found in breaking the routine. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (1:55) Acting like a child (3:26) Child-like wonder in the workplace (7:30) Practical application (10:35) Inner child challenge . LINKS AND RESOURCES Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn Competing in the Connecting World: About

February 5, 2025Episode 16957 min

Amplifying the Voice of the Silent (WSG Jacob Zuppke)

Host Gregg Garrett speaks to Jacob Zuppke, President and CEO of Whisker, about how product-in-use data can become a meaningful voice for a product's user – human or non-human – as well as Jacob's career ascent as a Specialist Generalist. Jacob also shares his "Top 3": Whisker founder Brad Baxter, who has bravely allowed him to lead; Josh Chandler, who problem-solves with him while burning the midnight oil; and his entire Whisker leadership team, who leads with humility and leans on one another. And you have to hear what he says about "going deep". . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (0:00) Introduction (1:11) Product-in-use data (7:23) Meet Jacob Zuppke The "Top Three": (10:39) Brad Baxter: Has bravely allowed Jacob to lead (23:41) Josh Chandler: Problem-solves with Jacob while burning the midnight oil (32:17) Jacob's Whisker leadership team: Leads with humility and leans on one another Other Points of Interest: (41:51) Whisker's home base (45:15) The Connected World's impact on pets You Have to Hear This: (53:30) "Going deep" . LINKS AND RESOURCES Jacob Zuppke: LinkedIn Whisker: LinkedIn | Website | Jobs Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn