In this episode of Behind the Curtain, hosts Steve Luther and Van Hoy sit down with Ron Henry — music‑industry veteran, executive search pioneer, succession strategist, and a man who has spent more than five decades in what he calls “the people business.”

From working alongside legends like Tom Petty, Leon Russell, David Bowie, and Elvis, to building one of Orange County’s top executive search firms, to guiding mission‑driven organizations through leadership transitions, Ron’s life is a masterclass in relationships, calling, and the art of helping people step into who they were created to be.

Ron shares stories from the golden era of the music industry — including backstage moments with Ringo Starr and George Harrison, producing one of the first conceptual music videos ever made, and witnessing the brilliance of artists who could rearrange an entire song in minutes. He also opens up about his faith journey, the moment he met his wife in a Huntington Beach nightclub, and how discovering his identity reshaped the trajectory of his life and work.

Today, as Chief Succession Officer at Ministry Transitions, Ron walks alongside boards, pastors, and nonprofit leaders during one of the most delicate and defining moments in organizational life: leadership succession. His approach blends wisdom, discernment, and a deep belief that every person has a unique calling worth uncovering.

This conversation is rich with history, heart, and hard‑earned insight — spanning music, leadership, faith, identity, and the power of relationships to transform lives.

Ron shares how a small‑town Connecticut upbringing, an engineering degree he didn’t want, and a last‑minute pivot to Wharton shaped his early worldview. Even then, he was challenging norms — creating political parties, hosting controversial speakers, and refusing to fit inside anyone’s box.

“I never fit in a box… one foot in, one foot out.”

Ron recounts the surreal experience of bringing MLK to campus in 1966 — and the moment an autograph fell out of his dresser drawer on the day King was assassinated.

From RCA Records to Shelter Records, Ron takes us into the rooms where legends created magic.

He shares stories of:

• Elvis at Madison Square Garden
• Ringo Starr walking into a session
• George Harrison handing over a cassette demo
• Leon Russell rearranging an entire song in ten minutes
• Producing one of the first conceptual music videos
• Selling 750,000 albums with a never‑before‑done tour strategy

Ron opens up about hitting a low point in the late ’70s, rediscovering his faith, and walking into a club where — in his words — “God said, she’s the one.”

Two weeks later they were dating. Five months later they were married.

Forty‑seven years later, they still are.

Ron explains how his music‑industry instincts translated into executive search:

he could hear people, see potential, and understand what motivated them.

He shares why so many leaders fail, why succession is often mishandled, and why identity matters more than résumés.

Ron walks through the heart behind his current work — helping churches and nonprofits navigate leadership succession with clarity, care, and mission continuity.

“We were created for relationship… everything comes back to that.”

Chief Succession Officer, Ministry Transitions

Ron has spent more than 50 years helping leaders discover their calling, navigate transition, and step into roles where they can thrive. His career spans the music industry, executive search, nonprofit leadership, and faith‑based succession consulting — all anchored in one belief: people matter most.

Contact Ron:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronhenrysterlinggroup/

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, hosts Steve Luther and Van Hohe sit down with Bill Darpino — president of Superhero Sidekick, former executive director of Creation Festivals, and a leader who has spent more than 30 years building mission‑driven organizations, large‑scale events, and high‑performance teams.

From overseeing faith‑based music festivals with crowds topping 125,000, to coordinating 1,500 volunteers across 30 departments, to being invited by the King of Morocco to produce one of the largest multicultural faith events in the world — Bill’s career is a masterclass in servant leadership, operational excellence, and purpose‑driven growth.

Bill shares the lessons learned from decades of leading “an army of people,” navigating artist egos, managing multimillion‑dollar budgets, and creating environments where community, worship, and mission collide. He also opens up about his transition into nonprofit coaching, why so many organizations struggle to articulate their mission, and how clarity, structure, and story can transform a nonprofit’s ability to scale.

This conversation is a deep dive into leadership, humility, organizational health, and the future of mission‑driven work — from someone who has lived it at the highest levels.

Episode Highlights From Architecture Student to Global Event Leader: Bill recounts his unexpected path from studying architecture to spending 30+ years in nonprofit leadership — including his decades with Creation Festivals, where he helped pioneer one of the first major Christian music festival movements.

“It became a gathering place for tens of thousands… a community built around worship, music, and mission.”

The Morocco Story — A Once‑in‑a‑Lifetime Invitation: Bill shares the behind‑the‑scenes of being invited by the King of Morocco to produce Friendship Fest, a three‑day multicultural event that drew more than 175,000 attendees. Van, of course, tells the story of how he didn’t get to go — and still hasn’t let his wife forget it.

Servant Leadership in Action: Bill explains why humility is the foundation of his leadership philosophy, quoting C.S. Lewis: “Humility is not thinking less of oneself, but thinking of oneself less.” He breaks down how servant leadership builds trust, disarms conflict, and creates loyalty — even when managing artists, egos, and high‑pressure environments.

The Real Challenges Nonprofits Face Today: Bill reveals the most common issues he sees when coaching organizations — unclear messaging, lack of structure, and mission drift — and why many nonprofits struggle to articulate what they do and what they want supporters to do. “They don’t know how to convey their mission in a clear, concise way.”

Inside Superhero Sidekick: Bill walks through the coaching process he and his business partner use to help nonprofits scale — from Basecamp strategy sessions to 12‑18 month execution plans, rebranding, donor development, and organizational restructuring.

Leadership, Culture, and the Next Generation: Bill shares what future nonprofit leaders must understand to create lasting impact — and why clarity, humility, and healthy internal culture matter more than ever.

AI, Authenticity & the Future: Bill and Steve discuss the role of AI in storytelling and nonprofit communication — and why authenticity will only become more valuable. “We don’t want to lose our humanity… the value of something authentic may become the greater value.”

Featured Guest: Bill Darpino President, Superhero Sidekick Bill has spent more than three decades leading large‑scale events, developing leaders, raising capital, and helping mission‑driven organizations grow. Today, he coaches nonprofits across the country — from startups to $30M organizations — helping them clarify their mission, strengthen their structure, and scale their impact.

Connect with Bill: 🌐 superherosidekick.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/billdarpino #MarketingStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #BrandBuilding #ComcastAdvertising #NashvilleBusiness #MediaBuying #AIinMarketing #SmallBusinessGrowth #BehindTheCurtain

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, hosts Steve Luther and Van Hohe sit down with Valerie Pantaleo — a 22‑year marketing veteran, account executive at Comcast Advertising, and president of VPI Media. From New York print rooms at the dawn of the internet to pioneering early digital TV ad placements, Valerie brings a rare, insider perspective on how media, data, and consumer behavior have evolved over the last two decades.

Valerie breaks down the real state of modern advertising — the rise of AI‑driven targeting, the dangers of fake data and bots, the fragmentation of consumer attention, and why so many businesses waste money on the wrong platforms. She also shares powerful stories from her career: helping small businesses scale from “one man and a truck” to local celebrities, navigating the Wild West of digital marketing, and advising brands across industries from home improvement to healthcare to luxury.

This conversation is a masterclass in how to think about marketing in 2026 — what works, what doesn’t, and how business owners can protect their budgets, build brand equity, and reach the right audience across screens.

From Print to AI‑Driven Digital:

Valerie recounts her early days in New York newspapers — including the moment she realized the internet would change everything — and how she became one of the first reps to sell digital TV ads.

“We were doing commercial insertions using AI 14 years ago… before most people even knew what AI was.”

The Wild West of Digital Marketing:

She explains why so many businesses get “sucker punched” online — from fake bots to bad data to misleading metrics — and why real‑time, first‑party household data is the new gold standard.

How Consumers Actually Watch Content Today:

From 18–34 year‑olds binging on-demand to 50+ audiences glued to live TV, Valerie breaks down the viewing habits that determine where your ads should (and shouldn’t) go.

Branding vs. Lead Gen — Why Most Businesses Get It Wrong:

Valerie reveals why companies overspend on cheap clicks, underestimate the power of video, and fail to build long‑term brand equity.

“Do you want to whisper… or do you want to shout?”

The Power of Targeted, Multi‑Screen Campaigns:

She explains how Comcast uses household data, Experian insights, and premium placements to target ultra‑affluent buyers, golf enthusiasts, college football fans, and more — all with one vendor and one invoice.

The Future of Social Media & AI:

Valerie shares her concerns about where digital content is headed — and why businesses must be more intentional than ever about their brand image.

Account Executive, Comcast Advertising

President, VPI Media, Inc.

With over 22 years of experience across print, radio, TV, and digital, Valerie is known for blending creative strategy with data‑driven insights to help businesses grow. She has advised brands across industries including home improvement, legal, financial services, healthcare, and luxury — and has helped clients scale from local unknowns to household names.

Connect with Valerie:

📧 valerie_pantaleo@comcast.com

📱 615‑427‑8018

🔗 LinkedIn: Valerie Pantaleo

#MarketingStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #BrandBuilding #ComcastAdvertising #NashvilleBusiness #MediaBuying #AIinMarketing #SmallBusinessGrowth #BehindTheCurtain