In this episode of The Steward Chair, Miren Oca, Founder and CEO of Ocaquatics Swim School, shares how she transformed a small backyard business into a certified B Corp and 100% employee-owned swim school. She explores how stewardship, employee ownership, and embedding social responsibility into business can redefine ROI and create ripple effects of impact.

We discuss her journey as an “accidental entrepreneur,” the importance of developing people through mentorship and leadership training, and the lessons she learned during COVID that shaped her approach to connection and resilience.

Key Takeaways

• Employee ownership fosters a culture of responsibility and pride.
• Mentorship programs can significantly impact young team members' lives.
• Measuring impact is as important as measuring profit.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.ocaquatics.com/
• Follow Miren on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/miren-oca-80561261/
• Follow Jackson Healthcare on social media at:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocaquatics-swim-school/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocaquatics/?hl=en

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

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What does making tamales have to do with running a world-class movie studio?

In this inspiring conversation, host Jeff Bond sits down with Frank Patterson, President and CEO of Trilith Studios, a name synonymous with the booming film industry in Georgia. Trilith is now the largest production facility in Georgia and the largest purpose-built studio outside of Hollywood.

In this conversation, Jeff and Frank unlock the critical importance of leveraging your values to build a purpose-driven community and business.

Frank’s leadership journey is defined by connection, creativity, and conscious capitalism. He shares how early influences shaped his philosophy of stewardship, the incredible story behind Trilith's intentional "placemaking," and discusses the future of AI as a tool for human flourishing.

This conversation is for every business leader who knows that true competitive advantage isn’t just about what you do, but how you do it.

Key Takeaways

• Stewardship Through Connection: How Frank’s Uncle Oscar used tamales to connect his community, providing a foundational lesson on leadership.
• The Power of Empowerment: Why great leaders must be fans of their team's talent and create an environment that empowers them to execute on their ideas.
• Building with Purpose: The vision behind Trilith to create a "place,” not just a facility, that cares for the well-being of the creative community.
• An Optimistic View of AI: Why Frank believes AI and other emerging technologies are powerful tools that will enhance, not replace, genuine human creativity and connection.
• The Leader as a "Rung on the Ladder": A powerful perspective on a leader's obligation to lift up the next generation.

Resources Mentioned

• Learn more about Trilith https://www.trilith.com/
• Trilith was designed by Lew Oliver. Learn more here: https://www.lewoliverinc.com/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn @ChatWithLeaders.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com and eotlproductions.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Curtis Hite, Chairman and CEO, Improving, discusses the essence of stewardship in leadership, emphasizing the importance of a people-first approach and the responsibility leaders have towards their teams and stakeholders. He shares insights on building a strong company culture, navigating global expansion, and the significance of values-driven leadership.

We discuss the weight of stewardship as a responsibility to help others flourish, the power of listening to employees to build trust, and how a values-driven approach can be a strategic advantage — providing actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Stewardship is a heavy responsibility focused on others' flourishing.
• Listening to employees is key to building trust and engagement.
• A values-driven approach can be a strategic advantage in business.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.improving.com/
• Follow Curtis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-hite-a7b228/
• Follow Improving on social media at:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/improving-enterprises/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, John Lauseng, CEO of Aldrich, shares his insights on stewardship and leadership, emphasizing the importance of servant leadership, culture, and the need for rest and disconnection in a high-pressure environment.

You’ll hear how John navigated the challenges of leading during the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of aligning growth with organizational values, and the legacy he hopes to leave as a leader.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership often involves giving opportunities to individuals before they feel ready.
• During crises, true leadership is tested and revealed.
• Culture can be a strategic advantage in driving performance.
• Rest and disconnection are essential for effective leadership.
• Growth should align with the organization's core values and purpose.
• Modeling behavior is crucial for encouraging team unplugging.

Resources Mentioned

• Learn more about Aldrich at https://aldrichadvisors.com/
• Follow John on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lauseng-18313a2b/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn @ChatWithLeaders.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Shane Jackson, President of Jackson Healthcare, shares his journey of stewardship-driven leadership, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking and a leader’s impact on both their organization and community, exploring how trust, transparency, and radical vulnerability drive meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss how redefining leadership through the lens of stewardship fosters long-term thinking, how radical vulnerability can strengthen trust and team morale, and why simplicity and clarity are essential for lasting organizational success, providing actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is a long-term responsibility, not for personal gain.
• Radical vulnerability can inspire confidence in leadership.
• Long-term thinking leads to sustainable growth.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.jacksonhealthcare.com
• Follow Shane on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanejacksonculture/
• Follow Jackson Healthcare on social media at:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jackson-healthcare/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackson_healthcare/?hl=en

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leslie Zinn, CEO of Arden’s Garden, shares insights from her journey growing a family business into a beloved wellness brand. She discusses the tension between her mother Arden's unwavering commitment to health and the practical demands of running a profitable enterprise. Leslie highlights pivotal moments, such as navigating the industry's E. coli crisis and unintentionally establishing successful stores in food deserts. Her reflections reveal the powerful impact of mission-driven decisions, customer loyalty, and the growth mindset that sustains their business today.

Key Takeaways

• Leslie’s early experiences balancing her mother's passion for wellness with business profitability.
• How Arden’s Garden navigated critical decisions during industry-wide health scares without compromising their core values.
• Unplanned strategic moves into underserved communities that led to surprising success and deep community impact.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit Arden's Garden at https://www.ardensgarden.com
• Follow Leslie Zinn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliezinn
• Follow Arden’s Garden on social media at:
• • Facebook: https://facebook.com/ardensgardenatl
  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/ardensgardenatl
  • Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ardensgardenatl

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

• Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/
• End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Michael Seitz, CEO of Earthwise Pet Franchise, shares his journey from entrepreneurial roots to leading a franchising powerhouse in the pet industry.

Michael opens up about the critical shifts in his leadership approach, embracing collaboration and stewardship to scale Earthwise Pet to over 200 locations. Michael and Jeff discuss the importance of maintaining humanity in business, balancing innovation with legacy, and navigating the challenging yet rewarding entrepreneurial journey.

Key Takeaways

• Effective stewardship involves collaboration and trusting your team.
• Balancing innovation with respect for legacy and core values is critical in scaling a business.
• Entrepreneurship demands resilience, adaptability, and embracing the realities of leadership challenges.

Resources Mentioned

• Earthwise Pet Franchise
• Michael Seitz LinkedIn Profile

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn at Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Steve Carse, Co-Founder & Franchising Director of King of Pops, shares his journey of building a joyful, community-driven business from a popsicle stand into an iconic Atlanta brand. He explores how intentional culture, community stewardship, and long-term thinking drive meaningful, sustainable growth.

We discuss navigating the balance between fun and responsibility, maintaining culture through growth, and creating impact beyond profit, providing actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Intentional culture-building: How creating space for joy, fun, and community can fuel a purpose-driven business.
• Stewardship through scaling: Lessons learned in maintaining culture and stakeholder relationships while growing King of Pops into a multi-city brand.
• Balancing joy and responsibility: How to lead a business that brings happiness to customers and meaning to employees, while being accountable to the broader community.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit King of Pops official website
• Follow King of Pops on
  • Instagram
  • X/Twitter
  • LinkedIn
• Visit Steve’s official website
• Read Steve’s book, Work is Fun
• Follow Steve Carse on LinkedIn

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

• Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/
• End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.