Pressure is a constant companion for anyone chasing excellence on the field, in the office, or anywhere expectations run high. Whether it’s a scoreboard or a bottom line, performance is measured, critics weigh in, and the stakes can be brutally public.

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, sits down with Coach Lee Owens, a sixteen time champion football coach at Ashland University, the University of Akron, The Ohio State Univeristy, Galion High School, Massilon and others along the way. They got together to talk about his new book, Spirit of a Team: Successful CEOs and Coaches Share Their Strategies for Achieving Excellence.

Owens explains why he chose to write it after 45 years in coaching and how lessons from championship football connect directly to corporate leadership and everyday life.

Topics like how recruiting great people, cultivating culture, and maintaining integrity form the foundation of lasting excellence are shared, as well as stories of players and leaders who embodied those principles.

The mark a true leader leaves behind is legacy. For Owens, that legacy lives not in trophies or records, but in the young men and women who grew, learned, and carried his lessons forward.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-True excellence is more than achievement; it’s success with significance.

-Every organization needs a “Tom Brady”, a difference maker who sets the tone.

-The best leaders build culture before chasing results.

-Pressure reveals motivation: if you’re in it for money or recognition alone, it will eventually break you.

-Winning without integrity isn’t winning at all.

-Preparation and belief can narrow the gap between underdog and champion.

-Failure handled well builds resilience that success never could.

-Great teams—and great companies—operate like families built on trust and shared values.

-Legacy isn’t measured in stats, but in lives changed.

——————-

Helpful Links:

Lee Owens: www.coachesplaybook.com

Spirit of a Team: Available on Amazon - https://a.co/d/foPlNbv

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/

Technology can either fuel your business or drain it. For many leaders, IT once meant keeping the lights on. Today it defines whether a company can compete at all. The difference comes down to clarity, culture, and a willingness to grow without losing who you are

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, welcomes Becky Cross, Vice President of Client Partnerships at FIT Technologies, a Cleveland-based managed IT services firm that supports clients nationwide. FIT has become known for its people-first culture, earning 11 consecutive NorthCoast 99 awards and maintaining steady growth while helping companies navigate complex technology challenges with clarity and purpose.

Becky shares how FIT grew through the pandemic, doubling in size while preserving authentic client relationships and learning to scale responsibly. She explains how the company’s employee ownership structure and use of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helped stabilize growth, strengthen internal culture, and reinforce a shared mission during turbulent times.

The discussion explores what’s next for business technology — from cybersecurity to the rise of AI — and underscores how purpose-driven leadership and genuine partnerships can turn pressure into progress.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Growth works best when it’s built on trust and authentic relationships, not transactions

-A strong company culture protects both employees and clients when pressure hits

-Expanding too fast can expose cracks, but it also reveals where systems need strengthening

-Employee ownership creates accountability that naturally improves service and outcomes

-Structure and clarity (like the EOS model) can turn chaos into direction

-Cybersecurity must be treated as a constant priority, not a one-time project

-AI should be approached thoughtfully — use it to enhance people, not replace them

-Technology decisions are business decisions; both require purpose and perspective

-Partnering with experts can help small and midsize businesses compete at a higher level

-Staying true to your “why” helps you adapt without losing your identity

——————-

Helpful Links:

Becky Cross, VP Client Partnerships, FIT Technologies: https://www.fittechnologies.com/

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/

Pressures don’t wait for a convenient moment. Talking about immigration and diversity is perhaps easier to put off than tackle. But, perhaps, it's the things that make us most uncomfortable that are the most important to talk about.

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, is joined by Christian Ponce, Executive Director for University Marketing at Indiana State University. Chris is a higher education marketing executive, an immigrant, a first-generation college graduate, and now a passionate advocate for multicultural marketing and inclusion in higher education.

Together, they explore the challenges that international and multicultural students face, from loneliness and cultural barriers to the pressure of navigating systems not built with them in mind.

This conversation is both candid and practical. It calls leaders, educators, and communities to recognize the changing demographics, to break down silos, and to embrace a new mainstream that is already here.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Pressures in higher education mirror the pressures of life: they demand resilience, adaptation, and clarity of purpose.

-International students often experience deep loneliness, cultural dissonance, and language barriers that require intentional outreach.

-Universities can’t rely on marketing “gloss”. Authenticity matters, and students will walk away if promises don’t match reality.

-Inclusion and multicultural marketing make both moral and business sense, especially as demographics shift toward greater diversity.

-Corporate America has long understood the value of speaking to diverse markets; higher ed can learn from that pragmatism.

-Institutions must recognize the “new mainstream” — a generation that is majority diverse — and adapt their language and practices.

-Mission clarity is vital: not every school can be everything to everyone, but each must be true to its identity.

-Leadership must involve honest conversations about relevance, strategy, and breaking down silos across campus.

-Authenticity, purpose, and mission-driven focus are the keys to thriving under pressure, for both individuals and institutions.

——————-

Helpful Links:

Christian Ponce: https://www.chrisponce.com/

Indiana State University: https://indianastate.edu/

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/

Pressure has a way of testing us. Whether it comes through work, family, or unexpected challenges, it forces us to decide who we are and what matters most. In those moments, resilience and purpose often rise to the surface.

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, is joined by Gail Laux, founder of the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. She shares how a small project grew into one of Ohio’s leading nature and education centers, and how she navigated the difficult balance of family, leadership, and community expectations along the way.

The conversation explores the realities of running a nonprofit like a business, the pressures of succession planning, and the personal trials that shaped Gail’s journey. She reflects on why the sanctuary has always been about more than birds, and how accessibility, education, and people remain at the heart of its mission.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Nonprofits thrive when treated with business discipline.

-Listening to the community builds lasting support.

-Leadership transitions require planning and patience.

-Family challenges can reshape and strengthen mission.

-Accessibility makes nature meaningful for everyone.

Running a nonprofit means stewarding resources wisely.

-Resilience is built by leaning on others.

-Legacy lives on through people who carry the mission forward.

——————-

Helpful Links:

Gail Laux, Ohio Bird Sanctuary: https://www.ohiobirdsanctuary.com/

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/

Balancing a demanding career, raising children, and building a new business all at once takes resilience, creativity, and a clear sense of purpose. It’s the kind of challenge that forces you to slow down in some areas, speed up in others, and constantly adapt while staying true to what matters most.

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, sits down with Sruti Baz, co-founder of Moumas, a company making authentic Indian lentil kits accessible to families across the U.S. Sruti shares how food became her bridge for passing down culture to her children, why lentils offered both nourishment and opportunity, and how a late-night spark grew into a business with real momentum.

From experimenting with homemade spice blends to selling at farmers markets and landing on grocery shelves, Sruti opens up about the ups and downs of building a startup. She talks about the operational hurdles, the importance of listening to customer feedback, and the lessons that come from taking risks one step at a time.

Whether through scholarships, community engagement, or making healthy meals more accessible, Sruti shows that success is about more than profit; it’s about aligning business with purpose.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Even small risks can spark a business.

-Friends and community feedback are invaluable for shaping new ideas.

-Incremental growth builds confidence and keeps momentum steady.

-Packaging, sizing, and presentation make a real difference in customer retention.

-Balancing business with family requires constant re-centering and tough choices.

-A supportive network, both personal and professional, is essential.

-Staying true to values gives a company lasting direction.

-Every challenge is a chance to refine and improve the product.

-Success begins the moment you take the first step.

——————-

Helpful Links:

Sruti Baz, Mouma's Indian Staples: https://www.eatmoumas.com/

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/

Some conversations force us to face realities we’d rather not think about. Behind closed doors and in neighborhoods that look picture-perfect, children are struggling. Abuse, neglect, and trauma don’t discriminate—they show up everywhere. When we pause long enough to recognize that, it changes the way we see our role as neighbors, friends, and community members.

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, welcomes Ashley Krause, Executive Director of the Children’s Center of Medina County. Ashley shares her journey into child advocacy, beginning with years of front-line work in child abuse investigations and leading to her role guiding a multidisciplinary team that supports children and families in crisis.

Ashley opens a window into the day-to-day reality of the Children’s Center. She also talks candidly about the personal toll this work takes, how she balances her professional responsibilities with raising her own children, and why community awareness and kindness are essential in addressing child abuse.

Ashley reminds us that even in the darkest situations, purpose can break through the pressure. Every act of belief, every moment of compassion, and every choice to get involved creates a pathway toward healing. The work is never easy, but it’s always worth it—because a child’s future depends on it.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Abuse and neglect happen everywhere, regardless of income or neighborhood.

-The Children’s Center provides forensic interviews, foster visitation, advocacy, and prevention programs.

-CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) gives children a voice in the legal system.

-Post-COVID realities and increased openness about mental health are influencing abuse reporting.

-Community awareness is crucial—“child abuse is a community problem that requires a community solution.”

-Nearly 500 cases of abuse or neglect were investigated in Medina County in 2024 alone.

-Many children know their abusers, making disclosure and prosecution complex.

-Internet exploitation and generational cycles of abuse add new layers of difficulty.

-Self-care and prevention education are critical for both professionals and parents.

-Everyone can help—by volunteering, fostering, mentoring, or simply by showing kindness.

——————-

Helpful Links:

Ashley Krause, Children’s Center of Medina County: https://medinacountychildrenscenter.org/

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/

When the pressure mounts in leadership, especially in education, how do you keep moving forward with clarity and conviction? Today’s conversation explores how purpose and discipline sustain leaders in both education and. business when challenges threaten to derail progress. From educators to entrepreneurs, the same truths apply: it isn’t just about managing the present but about creating a culture that thrives in the midst of change.

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, is joined by Scott Barron, Founder and Chief Reinvention Officer of School Growth and Educators Among Us. With years of experience as a school administrator, entrepreneur, and leadership coach, Scott shares his insights on how to support educators, build resilient cultures, and lead with both love and accountability. His work through School Growth and Educators Fellowship is transforming how schools and organizations adapt to change and sustain excellence.

Scott and Bryan dive into the habits that make leaders effective, from communication that builds trust to creating cultures rooted in clear values. They explore why excellence isn’t just about goals but about habits of character and trust, and how the right culture becomes a competitive advantage no competitor can copy. The conversation also highlights the unique challenges educators face, why burnout happens, and how both schools and businesses can learn to thrive by leading with purpose.

As the episode wraps, Scott outlines practical ways leaders can engage with his work—whether through his bestselling book Love Them and Lead Them, his upcoming book Laws of the Grapevine, or the Educators Fellowship. It’s a call to leaders everywhere: lead with clarity, reinforce culture with discipline, and never forget the power of purpose when the pressure is on.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Change is inevitable, but thriving requires leaders who know how to guide others through it.

comes not from lofty goals but from daily habits of character, trust, and learning.

-Communication should be viewed as a tool to build trust and engagement, not just information delivery.

-In schools and businesses alike, culture is the ultimate strategy—and it’s what you tolerate that defines it.

-Burnout is real, and leaders must intentionally rekindle passion to sustain purpose.

-Hiring people who already embody values is easier than trying to train culture into them.

-A strong culture is nearly impossible to copy, making it the strongest competitive advantage.

-Leaders need humility and curiosity to listen deeply, adapt, and innovate.

-Coaching accelerates learning curves and provides perspective that leaders can’t always find within their own organizations.

-The true product of a school isn’t just the students—it’s the educators and the daily experience they create.

——————-

Helpful Links:

Scott Barron: https://www.schoolgrowth.com/ and https://www.edfellowship.org/home-1

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media...

Life has a way of testing us with pressures we never anticipated. Sometimes those pressures come in the form of obstacles at work, struggles in leadership, or moments of personal hardship that seem impossible to overcome. The question isn’t whether those pressures will come—it’s how we respond when they do. What does it look like to hold on to purpose when life knocks us down, and how do we rebuild when everything changes?

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, sits down with his close friend and pastor, Bill Ludwig, senior pastor at Five Stones Community Church and founder of Confluence. Bill is a pastor, but he’s many other things. He’s a serial entrepreneur, a leader, and someone who lives out a multi-vocational approach to purpose.

Together, they explore Bill’s journey of helping others reach their potential, why curiosity is central to his calling, and how he uses every role he takes on as a way to connect with people.

Bill also opens up about the devastating semi-truck accident that nearly took his life in 2022. He shares the raw details of recovery, the identity struggles that came with pain and setbacks, and how community, surrender, and a shift in perspective brought him through the darkest days. His story is one of resilience, contentment, and the surprising growth that can come from starting over.

From curiosity-driven leadership to finding meaning after loss, this conversation offers wisdom for anyone facing obstacles. Bill reminds us that stopping, asking better questions, and giving ourselves permission to pursue what we truly want can transform pressure into purpose.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

– Purpose is often discovered in hindsight by looking at how experiences connect.

– Multi-vocational leadership creates synergy between passions, income streams, and impact.

– True connection happens when curiosity leads us into new places and relationships.

– After catastrophic setbacks, surrender and community are key to recovery.

– Hopelessness is often countered by people who refuse to let us stay there.

– Small steps forward, even unnoticed, can lead to profound growth.

– Pressure can cause us to lose identity—but it can also refine it.

– Contentment often comes when we release control and embrace help.

– Curiosity opens doors to solutions when obstacles seem insurmountable.

– The best life is lived authentically—being yourself in every role.

——————-

Helpful Links:

Bill Ludwig, 5 Stones Community Church: https://www.5stones.org/

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/