In this special episode marking the 250th birthday of the United States, we sit down with David Zanotti, CEO of the American Policy Roundtable and creator of The Public Square, one of the longest-running daily audio programs in America. This is a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the perils of founding a country in 1776 to the challenges of leading in the age of AI in 2026. It turns out that some of the very same mindsets that fueled America's Founding Fathers are still what's needed to effectively lead organizations and families today.

What if the hardest parts of leadership aren't holding you back? What if they're actually preparing you for what's next? In this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast, we sit down with leadership expert and author Adam Tarnow to unpack the core ideas in his new book, The Fog of Work. We explore why middle management leadership can feel like living in a foggy valley between competing pressures, unrealistic expectations, and constant uncertainty. From there, we dig into how to create a path forward that is both productive and developmental. While middle management leadership is the context of this discussion, Adam's concepts have remarkably practical application for leaders at every level and in every context. Join us!  

Today on the Be Worth* Following podcast, we are joined by Sara Turner. She's an executive coach, facilitator, and consultant whose work centers on the inner life of leaders and how it shapes everyday successes and failures. She is both a leader and a person of depth, something we've experienced firsthand, because for over four years, she worked with The Aperio, most recently serving as our Director of Content and Experience. In this episode, you'll hear about the often underutilized—and uniquely powerful—ability leaders have to draw others toward their natural capabilities and maximum potential. You'll learn about a specific group of leaders Turner is especially passionate about inspiring. And you'll discover the single word Turner believes is foundational for sustaining effort over time. Join us for this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast with our friend and former colleague, Sara Turner. 

It's March on the Be Worth* Following podcast and that means one thing: leadership lessons from the world of college basketball. In this episode, we visit with former Division I head coach and current Big Ten Network analyst Bruce Weber. With more than four decades in coaching, nearly 500 wins as a Division I head coach, and a run to the 2005 National Championship game, Coach Weber shares his insights on the essentials of effective leadership. And don't worry if you're not a hoops fan because the wisdom Coach Weber shares applies just as much to boardrooms and living rooms as it does locker rooms. With practical examples and firsthand stories about greats such as Gene Keady, Phil Jackson, and Michael Jordan, you won't want to miss this episode.

What if leadership is about more than just getting things done? Stephen "Shed" Shedletzky joins us on this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast to talk about it. Along the way, Shed shares the three characteristics he sees present in every successful leader. He also digs into his perspective on leadership success over the long-term, the power of listening, and the compelling story connected to his grandfather and World War II that inspires his work today.   Additional resources can be found HERE. 

Retired Lieutenant Colonel and former Green Beret Scott Mann spent his career building trust in places where trust was scarce. Today he's an author, playwright, and actor who brings all of his humanity to help us find—and lead with—ours. In this episode, you'll hear the gut-wrenching story that inspired Mann's latest book, Nobody is Coming to Save You. You'll also get a sneak peek into the upcoming premiere of his play, 11 Days: The Story of Operation Pineapple Express. Join us for this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast as Scott Mann guides us through leadership lessons from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the battlefields within our own minds and hearts. Click HERE to explore additional episode details, including show notes, time-stamped chapters, and resources to help you dive deeper into our conversation.

We all know the leaders we love to follow—and the ones we simply have to. What's the difference? In this conversation, we sit down with speaker and author David Mead to dig into the human qualities that set great leaders apart. David introduces the simple yet transformative framework at the heart of his new book, Lead with (un)Common Sense, offering practical ways to lead with honesty, humility, and humanity every day. This episode is an invitation to lead from who you are, not just what you do. Click here to visit our website page for David Mead's episode. There you'll find show notes, time-stamped chapters, and additional resources to help you explore the ideas from our conversation more deeply. You can also learn more about David's work, writing, and leadership insights featured in his upcoming book, Lead with (un)Common Sense, releasing soon.

Mike Matheny — Seeing Leadership as a Gift He caught thousands of pitches over 13 Major League seasons and went on to manage both the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals. Today, Mike Matheny is an author and executive coach helping leaders thrive in business. In this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast, Mike and host Tim Spiker talk about the connection between leadership in the clubhouse, in the boardroom, and in life. 🎧 Listen now to hear insights from a leader who knows what it means to build trust, handle pressure, and lead with perspective. Click here for additonal resources on our website page. 

Colonel Art Athens joins the Be Worth* Following podcast to share his insights on all things leadership, especially the cultivation of talent. And to be sure, he's sharing with us from a wealth of experience. Over the course of more than 30 years in the Marine Corps, Colonel Athens held command and staff assignments across all four Marine Aircraft Wings. He also served as an instructor and Academic Dean for the Marine Corps' equivalent to the Navy's "Top Gun" school. Following his military career, he became the Naval Academy's first Distinguished Military Professor of Leadership and later served for over a decade as the Director of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. He also served as Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and was selected as a White House Fellow under President Ronald Reagan. In this episode, you'll discover why Colonel Athens talks about Dixie cups and crystal glasses in relation to leading well. You'll see how attending a rainy high school soccer game significantly shifted one of his relationships up the chain of command. And you'll hear why benches and bullpens are important concepts in how we think about developing those we lead. Notable links:  Guest: Colonel Art Athens:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-athens-b210559/ Host: Tim Spiker:   https://www.theaperio.com/tim-spiker  The Only Leaders Worth* Following video series on Right Now Media:   https://www.theaperio.com/right-now-media-series The Only Leaders Worth* Following book   https://tinyurl.com/TOLWFbook   The Only Leaders Worth Following book Discussion Guide:   https://www.theaperio.com/discussion-guide-the-only-leaders-worth-following  The Aperio:   https://www.theaperio.com/   

Every year in March, the Be Worth* Following podcast gets its leadership lessons from the world of college basketball. And boy do we have a great one for you this year. Purdue University's Matt Painter joins us to talk about his leadership of one the nation's most successful men's basketball programs. When you look at the success Matt and Purdue have had, you might be tempted to think he has always confidently trusted his instincts. And you'd be wrong. Join us for a behind the scenes conversation with one of the nation's best coaches.