What does leadership look like when life delivers its hardest challenge? In this deeply moving episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kraemer welcomes NC State defensive coordinator DJ Eliot to talk about coaching, mentorship, and resilience both on and off the football field. DJ explains the philosophy behind his renowned "Skill Drill Time" approach to player development, building winning cultures in today's ever-changing college football landscape, and the invaluable role mentorship has played throughout his career. DJ also shares his family's extraordinary journey through his daughter’s courageous six-year battle with cancer, and the role of courage, presence, and gratitude when life doesn't go according to plan. Tune in to hear why you should always choose to fight, embrace each day with purpose, and inspire others through the way we live, with DJ Eliot.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Discover the philosophy behind DJ’s approach to coaching.
• Find out who inspired DJ to develop his coaching framework.
• Uncover the value of mentorship and a lifelong growth mindset.
• Hear how DJ got into coaching football as a profession.
• The differences between coaching professional and college football.
• Explore how situational preparation separates winning teams from the rest.
• Get an update on the Wolf Pack, including key players.
• Learn how today's college football landscape has impacted leadership styles.
• Understand what it takes to be a leader and build a winning culture.
• Unpack why effective leaders must earn trust before expecting others to follow.
• DJ shares how his family overcame the loss of his daughter through leadership.
• Reflect on his daughter’s inspiring message: always choose to fight.
• Why being fully present is one of life's greatest leadership skills.

Quotes:

“Players don’t do what you tell them to do; players do what you train them to do.” — @CoachEliot [0:03:26]

“You can’t perform a job if you don’t know what the job description is.” — @CoachEliot [0:07:34]

“If you don’t continue to figure out how to get better – and if you don’t continue to try to learn, then you won’t make it in [the coaching] profession, because it’s constantly changing.” — @CoachEliot [0:08:42]

“If you have a hungry roster, then you got a chance.” — @CoachEliot [0:15:41]

“You’re not leading if nobody is following you.” — @CoachEliot [0:19:53]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

DJ Eliot

DJ Eliot on X

North Carolina State University

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

‘How DJ Eliot's daughter continues to inspire him and his family’

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

Leadership Blueprints Podcast on YouTube

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

After spending 36 years at EwingCole, John Capelli has officially stepped into the role of CEO. But his story isn't just about reaching the top. It's about a company that has spent decades intentionally developing leaders, planning for succession, and building an ownership model designed to outlast any one individual.

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kraemer sits down with John to discuss EwingCole's unique approach to leadership, the lessons John learned throughout his career, and why earning respect comes from contribution rather than title. They explore succession planning, mentorship, company culture, and how organizations can create opportunities for future generations while continuing to grow.

Whether you're an executive, a manager, or an emerging leader, this conversation offers practical insights on building a career, developing others, and creating organizations that stand the test of time.

Key Topics:

• The history behind EwingCole's unique ownership and succession model
• John's 36-year journey from architect to CEO
• Why leadership transitions should be intentional, not reactive
• The importance of mentorship and earning influence through contribution
• Preparing the next generation of leaders while continuing to grow
• How innovation, AI, and technology are shaping the future of design firms

Memorable Quotes:
John Capelli: "You built something, and you want to see it go on."
John Capelli: "You have to figure out who you want to work with—and make sure it's the right person."
John Capelli: "If I did that successfully, I would actually get more respect than I ever had when I was wearing the director of operations position."
John Capelli: "People can't advance in their careers if you're not growing."
John Capelli: "Our door is always open."

Connect with John Capelli & EwingCole:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ewingcole/
Website: https://www.ewingcole.com/

Connect with BJ Kraemer:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj-kraemer-9a0855b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bj_kraemer/
Website: https://mcfaglobal.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bcvcAw0rigwymZCwZgfgN?si=45fc1e07c82742ee
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-blueprints/id1561090224

A lot of people are talking about how AI is changing the landscape of professional services, but there’s one really important consideration that often gets overlooked — cyber threats. As CEO of Ridgeback Network Defense Inc., today’s guest, Scott Fogarty, helps organisations defend against cyber attacks. We begin by unpacking the importance of being prepared for battle as a business leader with the understanding that cybersecurity is a real fight against other human beings who pose a threat to the safety of our resources. Next, Scott reveals more about his leadership and founder journey, with insights on how to manage and nurture successful teams. We also explore Scott’s mission to get business leaders to take ownership of cyber safety rather than deferring only to their IT professionals. Our conversation dissects two major strategies for online safety, and how Ridgeback’s system uses game theory to prevent attacks before they even begin. Join us for an important discussion about an issue that impacts us all.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why the topic of cyber defense is so important for business leaders.
• How to build a culture of industriousness among teams.
• Founding Ridgeback Network Defense Inc.
• Scott’s mission to enlist the time and attention of business leaders to focus on cyber safety.
• What keeps users from understanding cybersecurity needs.

Quotes:

“[Cybersecurity] is a fight against other human beings who wish to harm us or steal our resources, not a bad weather system.” — Scott Fogarty

“The reward is not from sitting in your desk and writing emails that command people to do this or that — it’s by drawing on diverse talents and diverse experience and enlisting everybody in a bigger objective.” — Scott Fogarty

“Composing a mix of folks who get pleasure out of working with one another is a key part of inspiring industriousness.” — Scott Fogarty

“Cyber is the pervasive undercurrent to geopolitical instability because it’s everywhere and it’s out of public view, but it’s a key method by which criminals, nation states who aren’t freedom-loving, are exercising influence.” — Scott Fogarty

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Scott Fogarty on LinkedIn

Scott Fogarty Email

Ridgeback Network Defense

The Sword of Damocles: A Cybersecurity Paradigm Shift for the Defense

Episode 254

The Sun Also Rises

The Aeneid

The Infinite Game

Leadership Blueprints Links:

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

Leadership Blueprints Podcast on YouTube

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn
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