Leading through change takes courage, but it also takes common sense. Know your strengths, lean on those around you, and take a moment to assess your plan before forging ahead. Start-up CEO Mitch Santala and his sidekick, Gil Moegerle, start the program by talking about adaptability and the entrepreneurial spirit. The point of The Whole Enchilada Podcast is to make the word entrepreneur more accessible – it’s not about starting or owning something, but rather about who you are and the spirit in which you lead. Mitch introduces 15-year financial industry veteran, Karen, and Gil asks her about adjusting her sales strategy in changing conditions. Karen talks about her leadership style and the three specific steps she took to pivot into the new business environment. Mitch expounds on Karen’s ideas with his own stories from his days leading young hikers through the Northern California mountains, referencing the basic rules of mountaineering: if you’re feeling lost, stop moving forward for a minute and tie yourself to others to survive. Karen then moves on to her philosophy that leadership not always easy, but how she leans on tried-and-true principles to march ahead even when she doesn’t want to. This resonates with Mitch, as he agrees that times of abrupt, sudden change are not the times to try new things. He even shares his methods for hearing the voice of calm in the midst of the storm. Finally, Erin Pruetz asks Karen The Whole Enchilada’s most important question: Where is your favorite Mexican restaurant and what are you ordering? Karen quickly answers with Casa Alde in Buda, TX, where she orders a Fattie – a breakfast taco stuffed with potato, egg, sausage, bacon, and cheese. She justifies having one because she won’t be hungry for another 12 hours (although her 16-year-old son can eat two!). Karen ends the podcast by encouraging listeners to support local business whenever they can. Links: Jumanji 2019: The Next Level https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7975244 How to Survive Anything: From Animal Attacks to the End of the World (and everything in between) https://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Anything-Attacks-everything/dp/1681884585/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=how+to+survive+anything&qid=1611195387&sr=8-2 Bear Grylls https://www.beargrylls.com/ Casa Alde, Buda, TX https://www.helenscasaalde.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter    

Change is hard, but it’s a necessary part of leadership and a true sign of The Whole Enchilada Spirit. In this minisode, Mitch Santala talks to financial wholesaler Brad about the clarity he’s gained since the COVID-19 events of 2020. Gil Moegerle starts this minisode off with an introduction to The Whole Enchilada podcast and its vision of inspiring entrepreneurial leaders to embrace the changes of the current business environment. Mitch Santala talks about a key attribute of successful leaders and how the attribute truly captures The Whole Enchilada spirit. Gil quotes Dr. James Dobson’s belief on the importance of mental health and Mitch agrees, because 2020 was not just a one-off event. We will always have change in our lives and careers. He further illustrates this concept by sharing a story about stopping in for a coffee at a local shop – and what he was able to leave behind. Mitch then introduces financial wholesaler Brad, a 21-year industry veteran and leader. He’s been a client with ESA for more than 14 years and is a doer, versus just being a talker. Erin Pruetz asks Brad about how the pandemic has changed his day-to-day career operations and how it’s stayed the same. Brad surprisingly says that the changes that 2020 brought were refreshing. Erin asks if it’s going to be hard for him to return to his usual schedule one day and Brad makes an analogy between his job and a professional athlete. Mitch chimes in to talk about change bringing clarity. He discusses an encounter with a homeless man that opened Mitch’s eyes and brought him clarity he didn’t know he needed. Mitch mentions best-selling author Rick Warren and the three steps Rick believes every person should take to refresh their minds and gain clarity in their own lives. Gil moves on to ask Brad about his relationship with his scheduler and Mitch makes a point about not ignoring the small tasks just because they’re small. Brad likes scheduling about as much as the baker in the 1980s Dunkin’ Doughnuts’ commercial, “Time to Make the Doughnuts,” likes getting up early to bake dozens of different types of pastries. Finally, Brad talks about his favorite place to get Mexican food – Miguel’s in Tampa. He loves their chicken fajitas with sweet onions, sour cream, and queso and enjoys sharing the experience with his wife. Links: Dr. James Dobson https://www.drjamesdobson.org Tommy Boy https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114694 Pastor Rick Warren https://pastorrick.com Dunkin’ Doughnuts’ Commercial, “Time to Make the Doughnuts” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyZtMfMWONI Miguel’s Mexican Seafood and Grill, Tampa, FL http://www.miguelscafe.com/index.php   Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter  

In this episode, Mitch Santala talks to Executive Scheduling Associates’ client, Brett – a 25-year veteran of the life insurance industry – about how he adapted and lead his team through the 2020 pandemic and into today. After an introduction by host Gil Moegerle, Mitch talks about his take on leading through change – and that not everyone is successful at it. He continues, talking about The Whole Enchilada spirit that defines entrepreneurs, whether their occupation fits the traditional definition or not. Mitch also makes a Chuck Norris claim about how the martial arts master handles shifting trends and variations. Erin Pruetz asks Brett about how his business changed during the pandemic and how it also stayed the same. Brett’s answers about new types of communications and the challenges of virtual meetings lead Mitch to talk about his philosophy of forced change and what it can do to strong leaders and entrepreneurial spirits. He discusses adaptation, the pain of staying the same, and how innovation can quickly become tradition. Mitch also shares a personal story about his experience in a Class 4 white water rafting adventure and the invaluable leadership lessons that came from two pieces of advice from the guide. Brett weighs in on his best practices for managing time with clients and Mitch expands on it, advising that productivity may actually mean the opposite of what we’ve always assumed it means. As always, we asked our signature question, inviting Brett to whisk us away to the best Mexican food he’s ever had. Brett doesn’t hesitate to mention Chuy’s, a restaurant chain in the American South and Southwest, where he urges us to indulge in the Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom platter - chicken enchiladas smothered in a creamy pepper sauce. Links: The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PFC9MR0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful-ebook/dp/B07WF972WK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9LMN9X09C4HE&dchild=1&keywords=seven+habits+of+highly+effective+people&qid=1609991502&s=digital-text&sprefix=seven+habits%2Cdigital-text%2C183&sr=1-1 The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity by Kory Kogon, Adam Merrill, Leena Rinne https://www.amazon.com/Choices-Path-Extraordinary-Productivity-ebook/dp/B00LQMDZZI/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+five+choices&qid=1609991422&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 Chuy’s Mexican Food https://www.chuys.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

Mitch, Gil, Erin, and Isaac the Intern break down Mitch’s interview with veteran life insurance financial wholesaler, Brett Collins. Erin starts by saying that she appreciated Brett’s philosophy on being a mentor and being kind, brave, and clear with those he is leading, even knowing they may one day surpass him. There are throwbacks to 1980s and 90s sales tools, but the team lands on an important Brené Brown quote. Gil tackles the next leadership principle when he says that he related to Brett’s thoughts on taking no for an answer. He tells the story of his time in sales and the team reflects on the best quote of the episode. Isaac chimes in, remembering Kimberly Johnson’s “mining for wisdom” in Episode 3 and Mitch recalls Coach Greg’s style of mentorship from Episode 1. Mitch says his biggest interview takeaway was Brett’s abundance mentality. He goes into a theory proposed by authors Darrow Miller and Marit Newton. They say that there are two ways to view the world’s resources and that success for all can be achieved by choosing one of those paths. Gil recalls the 1970s oil embargo and that leads Erin to question Gil’s age. As always, Mitch asks our signature question, inviting Brett to step into Bill & Ted’s phone booth time machine and whisk them to the best Mexican food he’s ever had. Brett doesn’t hesitate to mention Chuy’s, a restaurant chain in the American South and Southwest, where he invites us to indulge in the Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom platter - chicken enchiladas smothered in a creamy pepper sauce. Links: Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/ Dare to Lead by Brené Brown https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/ Daring Greatly by Brené Brown https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592408419/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwbrenebrown- 20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1592408419&linkId=21eb193ed088e8f79da43be84 0ac4dc9 LifeWork: A Biblical Theology for What You Do Every Day by Darrow Miller and Marit Newton https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009PQ9FLK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Chuy’s Mexican Food https://www.chuys.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

This episode is the full conversation between Mitch Santala and financial wholesaler Brett Collins. Brett and Mitch talk in-depth about the personal role mentorship takes as a leader and the type of mentality you have to keep if you plan to succeed as an entrepreneur. Mitch begins by asking Brett about betting on himself and taking risks rather than playing by the rules. Brett answers profoundly about actions and reactions and the vision that often lies in between. Apparently, Brett is pretty competitive, as evidenced by his reaction when Mitch asks him about how he’s gotten to his station in life. Mitch also touches on what it takes to taste the thrill of victory and the two mull over whether everyone has the ability to succeed at something. Brett goes on to talk about learning from winners and if there is ever fear of being replaced by someone who surpasses you in knowledge and/or skill. Mitch responds with some thoughts on maturity before moving to Brett’s thoughts on what kinds of reactions a leader takes when workplace disappointment happens – when the big sale gets away or a client leaves for a competitor. Finally, Mitch and Brett talk about work-life balance and Brett shares his distinct thoughts on the matter, on what success and failure really mean in the grand scheme of things. He also shares his two favorite leadership books – one of which is unexpected. As always, Mitch asks our signature question, inviting Brett to step into Bill & Ted’s phone booth time machine and whisk them to the best Mexican food he’s ever had. Brett doesn’t hesitate to mention Chuy’s, a restaurant chain in the American South and Southwest, where he invites to indulge in the Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom platter - chicken enchiladas smothered in a creamy pepper sauce. Links: Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/ Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Gallup https://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015X Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson https://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-My-Cheese-Amazing/dp/0399144463/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=who+moved+my+cheese&qid=1604366900&s=books& sr=1-2 Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss https://www.amazon.com/Green-Eggs-Ham-Dr-Seuss/dp/0394800168/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=green+eggs+and+ham&qid=1604366967&s=books&sr=1-1 Chuy’s Mexican Food https://www.chuys.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

Mitch, Gil, Erin, and Isaac the Intern tackle Mitch’s interview with Washington DC-area PR professional Jamie Higdon. After Isaac the Intern gets a serious snubbing, Gil dives right into his take on Jamie’s crisis communication quote, where she delivers one of our favorite lines ever. Gil recalls his experience in the PR field when the company he worked for had to train all of their employees to speak on their behalf during a crisis and how your employees are your most important assets and always your primary audience. Gil also delivers a funny line that’s a close second to Jamie’s. Erin is struck by Jamie’s surprising lack of definition of an entrepreneurial leader, citing her kids and their proclivities toward entrepreneurialism. As a mom, Erin agrees because her own kids display totally different skill sets, any of which could lead to entrepreneurial leadership. Isaac the Intern says that, as a recent college graduate, he’s in the thick of Jamie’s non-definition of entrepreneurialism. And while there may not be a class on being an entrepreneur, he was encouraged throughout his education to do entrepreneurial things. Mitch dives into Jamie’s answer to the question, “How do you do it all?” and focuses on the importance of timing, including Cher’s 1989 wish for the ability to go back in time. He says you can’t pay attention to everything…you’ll just end up paying attention to nothing at all. Mitch finishes his thoughts with a challenge to our listeners about the importance of timing over time. Finally, Mitch asks Jamie our signature question about her favorite Mexican food restaurant and what she’ll order. While there is no shortage of fine dining options in the DC area, Jamie says that she would take us to La Lomita Dos Mexican Food on Pennsylvania Avenue, where she would dive into the warm chips and salsa and order a double portion of the chicken and beef fajitas. Ahhh…we can hear the sizzle now. Links: “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” The Atlantic, July/August 2012. Anne-Marie Slaughter. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/?gclid=CjwKCAjwlbr8BRA0EiwAnt4MTlicoC7CNtNMfN9ScDTsN5ms7HdsjiLSDtUo4m0PSpkqvY0AYya6TBoCqjcQAvD_BwE Book: The One Thing. Authors Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. https://www.the1thing.com/ La Lomita Dos Mexican Food https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g28970-d481018-Reviews-La_Lomita_Dos_Pennsylvania_Ave-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

This episode features the uncut conversation between Mitch Santala and Washington DC-area PR professional Jamie Higdon. Jamie and Mitch discuss a wide range of leadership topics, from what defines an entrepreneur all the way down to reaching the end of your leadership path. Jamie starts the conversation by responding to Mitch’s question about what defines an entrepreneur and how everyone defines it a little differently. According to Jamie, there are two types. The two move onto “The Whole Enchilada Spirit” where Jamie cites an article she read in 2012 (see link below) and how it lead her to the philosophy that you can have it all…but that you may have to shift some things around to make it happen. Mitch parlays that answer into his next question about how Jamie juggles multiple roles and projects at once. Jamie remarks that priorities have to be adaptable, while still maintaining structure. She gives a unique definition to her decisions and talks about her approach to seizing opportunities. The conversation moves to the importance of a support system, both personally and professionally, and Mitch remarks that chances of success are a lot higher for those who have a team of supporters versus those who try to do it all on their own. Jamie delivers the best line of the interview as she and Mitch delve into the role of communications in a company. Jamie shares her philosophy on how to be an entrepreneur with the knowledge you already have. She also talks about limitations and how important it is to be humble when you don’t have an answer. She also gives a surprising answer about where she sees the end of her communications journey. Finally, Mitch asks Jamie our signature question about her favorite Mexican food restaurant and what she’ll order. While there is no shortage of fine dining options in the DC area, Jamie says that she would take us to La Lomita Dos Mexican Food on Pennsylvania Avenue, where she would dive into the warm chips and salsa and order a double portion of the chicken and beef fajitas. Ahhh…we can hear the sizzle now. Links: “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” The Atlantic, July/August 2012. Anne-Marie Slaughter. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/?gclid=CjwKCAjwlbr8BRA0EiwAnt4MTlicoC7CNtNMfN9ScDTsN5ms7HdsjiLSDtUo4m0PSpkqvY0AYya6TBoCqjcQAvD_BwE Book: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. Author Patrick Lencioni. https://www.tablegroup.com/books/obsessions/  La Lomita Dos Mexican Food https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g28970-d481018-Reviews-La_Lomita_Dos_Pennsylvania_Ave-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

This week the Whole Enchilada Team discusses Mitch’s interview with Garrett Viggers, a founder of Limelight Health, a service that streamlines insurance sales and underwriting processes. Limelight Health’s recent acquisition by FINEOS is the classic fairy tale ending, after a journey fraught with uncertainty and unclear paths. Mitch, Gil, Erin, and Isaac the Intern dive right in, talking about what they personally took away from Garrett’s story. Erin says that Garrett’s conversation about Saint Brendan resonated with her personally, as there was a time in her life when she didn’t know exactly which path to take, while also knowing there was no turning back. Gil talks about Garrett’s version of “Eye of the Tiger” as a leadership principle – that leaders need to encourage their charges to get up off the ground, even when they feel like it’s not worth getting up again. To further that point, leaders need to pick themselves up off the ground, while still being vulnerable enough to admit that they were knocked down but are going to dust themselves off and try again. Isaac the Intern tries to convince everyone he’s never just sat back and played it safe, but the rest of the group has differing opinions. Mitch finishes up the discussion with a rendition of a scene from The Lion King that took everyone by surprise. Finally, Mitch and Garrett salivate over the tacos al pastor at Garrett’s favorite Mexican food restaurant, Taqueria Los Gordos. Links: Limelight Health https://www.limelighthealth.com Eye of the Tiger (Get Up Off the Ground) https://www.iheart.com/artist/garrett-viggers-33015192/songs/eye-of-the-tiger-get-up-73615015/ Garrett Viggers https://www.instagram.com/garrettviggers https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-viggers-90332a20 Taqueria Los Gordos https://www.losgordosredding.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

This is the uncut version of Mitch Santala’s conversation with Garrett Viggers, a cofounder of Limelight Health (which has since been acquired by FINEOS for 75 million dollars), a service that streamlines insurance sales and underwriting processes. Garrett’s inspiration comes from an unlikely source and he is led by the experience of having to give up one dream to make room for another. Mitch and Garrett start by talking about Garrett’s background in music and how insurance is the last place he expected to land. A devastating event early on paved the path toward his success with Limelight. Mitch asks about Garrett’s first year as a start-up founder and the two talk about the excitement and fear that come with doing everything yourself. Garrett goes into detail about the importance of hiring the right people at the right time and recognizing your own limitations. He also says there is an evolutionary process in building a team. Mitch and Garrett chat about the challenges of maintaining integrity while selling from a prototype and the complexity of saying, “Yes we can!” and then actually fulfilling that promise.  There is also a poignant story about why Garrett’s son was desperate for his dad to go barefoot in the house. Garrett goes on to answer a question about surviving starting up a company and he gives a surprising answer about authenticity and vulnerability. He also cites his biggest sources of encouragement…two men whose paths couldn’t have been more different, but that ultimately led them to successfully make their permanent marks on history. Garrett also talks about how his return to an authentic expression of music helped him build a healthy internal culture as well as connect with the insurance industry through music and virtual concerts. In fact, Garrett picks up his guitar and sings his version on "The Eye of the Tiger." Finally, Mitch and Garrett salivate over the tacos al pastor at Garrett’s favorite local Mexican food restaurant, Taqueria Los Gordos. Links: Limelight Health https://www.limelighthealth.com Eye of the Tiger (Get Up Off the Ground) https://www.iheart.com/artist/garrett-viggers-33015192/songs/eye-of-the-tiger-get-up-73615015/ Garrett Viggers https://www.instagram.com/garrettviggers https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-viggers-90332a20 Taqueria Los Gordos https://www.losgordosredding.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

Mitch Santala, Gil Moegerle, Erin Pruetz, and Isaac the Intern discuss Mitch’s interview with Kimberly Johnson, the CEO of the non-profit Children’s Legacy Center of Shasta County, in episode three. The four participants begin by highlighting some of Kimberly’s best points – her decision to put down one dream to fulfill a greater need, her desire to learn from others, and the perspective needed to do both. Gil points out Kimberly’s desire to serve and the group discusses the beauty in the simplicity of saying, “Your needs before mine.” Isaac the Intern may not have as many years of experience as Mitch, Gil, and Erin, but he shares a powerful story about a servant leader in his life. Erin brings up Kimberly’s mastery in learning from others and equates Kimberly’s practice of reaching outside her immediate circle to an unexpected analogy: the airline safety briefing. The highlight of the interview for Mitch was the perspective Kimberly had to find when all she could see around her were the weeds. The group discusses her very poignant story of what happened on April 19, 2019, which would become a turning point for her, with the help and support of her husband and children.  The conversation ends when Kimberly decides she wants to take a jet time machine to her two favorite Mexican restaurants. The first is a taco stand just inside the Mexican border, South of San Diego, where she says the al pastor tacos are life changing. The second is a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles where they serve a white queso with chili oil that, if given the opportunity, she would bathe in. Links: The Children’s Legacy Center of Shasta County https://www.childrenslegacycenter.org/ Book: Heaven Help Us! Dr. Steven Lawson https://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Help-Us-Eternity-Christian/dp/0891099123 Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher. Follow us: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter