Best Founder Elite Leadership Center Podcasts (2025)

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#397 - Wiley Curran - Co-Founder @ CPC - Building A Perpetual Holding Company Of Lower Middle Market Businesses 1:22:53

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3d ago1:22:53

1:22:53

Today, I sit down with my good friend Wiley Curran to break down the story behind CPC, a family-built perpetual holding company that buys and holds businesses indefinitely. We also discuss how CPC approaches acquisitions, management incentives, and organizational design to create enduring value across industries. We discuss: The evolution of CPC fr…

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#396 - Jason Illian - Co-Founder @ Highmount Capital - Eternal Thinking 1:21:50

10d ago1:21:50

1:21:50

Today’s guest is my good friend Jason Illian, Co-Founder @ Highmount Capital. Jason returns to the show for a meaningful conversation about faith, fatherhood, leadership, and living with eternal purpose. We explore how Jason integrates ministry into his home and family life, using sports as a vehicle to teach character and faith. He shares how he a…

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Lead Without Permission – The Hidden Power of Decentralized Leadership 16:30

17d ago16:30

16:30

Send us a text 🎙 Lead Without Permission – The Hidden Power of Decentralized Leadership Edition 31 – Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. unpacks one of the most misunderstood challenges in leadership today — control. Too often, leaders equate structure with strength and oversigh…

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Fearless Decision Making - Jamie Winship - Replay 1:17:40

24d ago1:17:40

1:17:40

By Chris Powers

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#395 - Scott Arnoldy - Founder & CEO @ Triten RE Partners - Scaling to $1.5B+ Across Multiple Cycles and Asset Classes 1:10:51

1M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

By Chris Powers

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#394 - Alex Robinson - Co- Founder & CEO @ Juniper Square - The New Survival Code for GPs (Private Markets Are Rapidly Being Disrupted) 1:01:15

1M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

In today’s episode, I sit down with Juniper Square Co-Founder & CEO Alex Robinson for a conversation on the seismic shifts reshaping private markets and the future of investing. We dig into the impact of interest rate changes, the rise of retail investors, and why GPs face both opportunity and disruption in today’s environment. We also go deep on a…

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#393 - Alex Nyhan - CEO @ First Washington Realty - $9B Portfolio: How Neighborhood Centers Became the Most Resilient Asset in Real Estate 1:05:17

2M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Alex Nyhan is the CEO of First Washington Realty and an owner in FWR's entities. FWR owns interests in and manages approximately $9 billion of top-quality grocery-anchored shopping centers across the United States. Alex is one of the sharpest minds in real estate and this episode is proof of that. I’ve had the good fortune of learning from Alex for…

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#392 - Jason Baxter - Co-Founder @ Fostr AI - What Elite CEOs Know About AI That Others Don’t 1:02:32

2M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

My Co-Founder, Jason Baxter, joins me once again to discuss the growth at FOSTR and how our team is thinking about the future of AI inside companies. Since our last conversation, Jason has sharpened his perspective on where the real value lies for businesses—moving beyond surface-level AI use cases to building the infrastructure that allows organiz…

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#391 - Chad Lavender - President of Capital Markets, North America @ Newmark 1:05:56

2M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Chad Lavender is the President of Capital Markets - North America @ Newmark. In this episode we talk about his journey through commercial real estate, from starting out in development during the 2008 financial crisis to building one of the leading senior housing brokerage and advisory practices in the country. We cover how he navigated tough market…

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#390 - Barrett Linburg - Founder @ Savoy Equity Partners - Big Beautiful Opportunity Zones 1:05:33

2M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

We welcome back Barrett Linburg to the podcast for a deep dive into the evolution of Opportunity Zones and also his firm, Savoy. Barrett shares how his focus on Opportunity Zone projects has shaped Savoy, why these tax-incentivized investments are so compelling for long-term real estate strategies, and how his team has expanded into property manage…

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Through a Different Lens – A Leadership Perspective on Emotional Reactivity 12:21

3M ago12:21

12:21

Send us a text 🎙 Through a Different Lens – A Leadership Perspective on Emotional Reactivity Edition 30 – Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. explores one of the most misunderstood traits in leadership — emotional reactivity — and why it can be both a challenge and a hidden stre…

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Leading Through Change — Why Most Transformations Fail Before They Start 15:54

3M ago15:54

15:54

Send us a text 🎙 Leading Through Change — Why Most Transformations Fail Before They Start Edition 29 – Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. unpacks one of the most consistent failure points in organizational growth: change without influence. Billions are spent on change initiativ…

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Why We Still Struggle to Develop Leaders — and What’s Missing 14:07

3M ago14:07

14:07

Send us a text 🎙 Why We Still Struggle to Develop Leaders — and What’s Missing Edition 28 – Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. unpacks one of the most frustrating truths in modern leadership development: we know what great leadership looks like—but we still struggle to create i…

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Emotional Intelligence Is a Leadership Discipline—Not a Personality Trait 15:40

3M ago15:40

15:40

Send us a text 🎙 Emotional Intelligence Is a Leadership Discipline—Not a Personality Trait In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. breaks down one of the most misunderstood elements of leadership: emotional intelligence. Too many leaders still treat EQ as a soft skill—or worse, a personality trait you're either b…

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We All Hate Pointless Meetings—So Why Do We Keep Having Them? 8:43

4M ago8:43

8:43

Send us a text 🎙 We All Hate Pointless Meetings—So Why Do We Keep Having Them? In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. unpacks one of the biggest productivity killers in modern leadership: meetings that waste time, erode trust, and derail execution. Meetings were designed to move teams forward—but too often, they…

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How Comparison Hijacks Growth—and Steals Your Momentum 9:19

4M ago9:19

9:19

Send us a text 🎙 How Comparison Hijacks Growth—and Steals Your Momentum In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. takes on one of the most overlooked leadership traps: comparison. It doesn’t just distract—it distorts. And when left unchecked, it slowly pulls even the most driven leaders off track. From subtle self-…

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Stop Carrying Dead Weight: Real Leadership Requires Boundaries 5:48

4M ago5:48

5:48

Send us a text 🎙 You Can’t Teach Initiative: Why Effort Still Matters In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights™ Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. unpacks one of the hardest truths in leadership: you can teach almost anything — but you can’t teach initiative. Whether you're leading a team, mentoring others, or building a high-performance culture, ef…

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#389 - Imran Khan - Founder @ Proem Asset Mgmt - Investing In The Fourth Industrial Revolution 55:24

4M ago55:24

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Imran Khan is the Founder at Proem Asset Management. In this episode we explore the arc of his remarkable career—from his early days as one of Wall Street’s top-ranked analysts to leading global IPOs and eventually launching his own hedge fund. We discuss: - Why gross margins are a critical indicator of fundamental shifts in a business - How he met…

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The Power of Trust: The Cornerstone of Influence 5:03

4M ago5:03

5:03

Send us a text 🎙 The Power of Trust: The Cornerstone of Influence Trust isn’t soft — it’s foundational. In this first episode of the Elite Leader Insights Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr.explores why trust is the most essential trait in any leadership role — and how it directly impacts your ability to influence, inspire, and lead with impact. Pulling …

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When Favoritism Fails: The Cost of Playing Favorites 6:28

4M ago6:28

6:28

Send us a text When Favoritism Fails: The Cost of Playing Favorites Favoritism rarely announces itself—but your team always feels it. In this episode of Elite Leader Insights, Donald Kunkel Jr. explores the hidden impact of favoritism—how even well-intentioned patterns can quietly erode trust, credibility, and team engagement. You’ll hear: A person…

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The Ripple Effect: How Leaders Shape Culture 7:07

4M ago7:07

7:07

Send us a text 🎙 The Ripple Effect: How Leaders Shape Culture Culture doesn’t start with a slogan — it starts with a leader. In this episode of the Elite Leader Insights Podcast, Donald C. Kunkel Jr. explores how small, consistent leadership behaviors create long-term ripple effects that shape team culture, for better or worse. Drawing from a real-…

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#388 - Mark Toro - CVO @ Toro Development Co. - Developing Generational Mixed Use "Fortresses" 1:13:38

5M ago1:13:38

1:13:38

Today’s guest is Mark Toro, Chief Vision Officer @ Toro Development Co, based in Atlanta, GA. Mark unpacks the philosophy, economics, and human-centered detail behind some of the most successful mixed-use developments in the country. We talk through his journey from building suburban power centers to pioneering immersive experiences like Avalon, Co…

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#387 - Ken Hersh - Co-Founder NGP Energy Capital Management - The Godfather of Energy Private Equity 1:16:54

5M ago1:16:54

1:16:54

Since 2016, Ken Hersh has served as President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center which houses the George W. Bush Library and Museum and the George W. Bush Institute. In 1988, he co-founded NGP Energy Capital Management, one of the nation’s largest natural resources private equity firms which pioneered private capital investing in the…

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#386 - Trent & Tyler Leon - Co-Founders @ Tilden Capital 1:15:50

5M ago1:15:50

1:15:50

Trent and Tyler Leon are the Co-Founders of Tilden Capital. Today, their business, Tilden Capital, has deployed billions of dollars into oil & gas minerals, royalties, and non-operated positions across the Permian and other domestic basins. We talk about growing up in a golf-obsessed family, attending IMG Academy, and competing at the highest level…

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#385 - Andrew Yaffe - CEO @ Dude Perfect - The Business of the World’s Most Trusted Entertainment Brand 1:09:55

6M ago1:09:55

1:09:55

Andrew Yaffe is the CEO of Dude Perfect. Prior to joining Dude Perfect, he served as Executive Vice President, Head of Social, Digital and Original Content at the NBA, leading the department responsible for all video, editorial, and documentary content produced and distributed by the NBA. We dive into the evolution of content strategy, how vertical…

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#384 - Jason Karp - Founder of HumanCo - Hedge Fund Mogul Trades Wall Street for Wellness 1:21:11

6M ago1:21:11

1:21:11

In this episode, Jason and I discuss one of the biggest challenges facing America today: the health crisis fueled by our food system. Jason, a former hedge fund manager turned health entrepreneur, shares how his personal journey through professional burnout, depression, and physical illness opened his eyes to the systemic problems in the way Americ…

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#383 - Hunter Pond - Founder @ Vandelay Hospitality Group - The Hottest Restaurateur in America 1:21:49

7M ago1:21:49

1:21:49

Hunter Pond is the founder of Vandelay Hospitality Group, one of the most recognizable restaurant portfolios in Texas. From dropping out of law school mid-exam to launching East Hampton Sandwich Co. with no industry experience, Hunter shares how a love for restaurants kickstarted a hospitality empire. We dive into the creation and evolution of VHG.…

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#382 - Hiten Samtani - Founder @ ten31 Media - CRE is the Ultimate Business Bloodsport 1:07:08

7M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

Hiten Samtani is the founder and editorial director of ten31, a new media company focused on market-moving insider coverage of the most important and least understood industries. He is the author of The Promote, a newsletter that readers have likened to commercial real estate's answer to Matt Levine's "Money Stuff," and a publication that has built…

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#381 - Chris Powers & Jason Baxter - Launching Fostr AI - The Right Way to Use AI at Work 32:12

7M ago32:12

32:12

Today’s episode is with Co-Founder, Jason Baxter, to introduce our latest venture, FOSTR AI—a company built to solve one of the most pressing challenges facing businesses today: how to implement AI in your business in a meaningful, aligned, and scalable way. We unpack the fragmented state of AI adoption across small to mid-sized businesses and expl…

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#380 - Paul Hedrick - Founder @ Tecovas - How Tecovas Became A Western Wear Empire 1:10:46

8M ago1:10:46

1:10:46

Paul Hedrick is the Founder of Tecovas, the leading high-quality western footwear, apparel, and accessories brand. In today’s episode, we discuss: - the origins of Tecovas and early founding stories, - what it takes to build an incredible brand - Tecovas’ retail “moat” - radical hospitality - how they managed through COVID - and more As Executive C…

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#379 - Steve Cockram - Founder of 5Voices - Know Yourself, Influence, & Building Stronger Relationships 1:14:13

8M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Steve Cockram is an inspirational communicator, serial entrepreneur, and confidante to elite leaders worldwide. He is a best-selling author, creator of the 5 Voices communication system, and co-founder of GiANT, a global leadership consultancy working in 143 countries. His latest venture is called the “Relationship Revolution.” We discuss: - Why su…

Founder Elite Leadership Center Podcasts

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Elite Leader Insights™

Donald C. Kunkel Jr, Founder - Elite Leadership Center

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POWERS

Chris Powers

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#397 - Wiley Curran - Co-Founder @ CPC - Building A Perpetual Holding Company Of Lower Middle Market Businesses 1:22:53

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#396 - Jason Illian - Co-Founder @ Highmount Capital - Eternal Thinking 1:21:50

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Lead Without Permission – The Hidden Power of Decentralized Leadership 16:30

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Fearless Decision Making - Jamie Winship - Replay 1:17:40

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#395 - Scott Arnoldy - Founder & CEO @ Triten RE Partners - Scaling to $1.5B+ Across Multiple Cycles and Asset Classes 1:10:51

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#394 - Alex Robinson - Co- Founder & CEO @ Juniper Square - The New Survival Code for GPs (Private Markets Are Rapidly Being Disrupted) 1:01:15

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#393 - Alex Nyhan - CEO @ First Washington Realty - $9B Portfolio: How Neighborhood Centers Became the Most Resilient Asset in Real Estate 1:05:17

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#392 - Jason Baxter - Co-Founder @ Fostr AI - What Elite CEOs Know About AI That Others Don’t 1:02:32

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#391 - Chad Lavender - President of Capital Markets, North America @ Newmark 1:05:56

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#390 - Barrett Linburg - Founder @ Savoy Equity Partners - Big Beautiful Opportunity Zones 1:05:33

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Through a Different Lens – A Leadership Perspective on Emotional Reactivity 12:21

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Leading Through Change — Why Most Transformations Fail Before They Start 15:54

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Why We Still Struggle to Develop Leaders — and What’s Missing 14:07

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Emotional Intelligence Is a Leadership Discipline—Not a Personality Trait 15:40

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We All Hate Pointless Meetings—So Why Do We Keep Having Them? 8:43

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How Comparison Hijacks Growth—and Steals Your Momentum 9:19

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Stop Carrying Dead Weight: Real Leadership Requires Boundaries 5:48

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#389 - Imran Khan - Founder @ Proem Asset Mgmt - Investing In The Fourth Industrial Revolution 55:24

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The Power of Trust: The Cornerstone of Influence 5:03

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When Favoritism Fails: The Cost of Playing Favorites 6:28

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The Ripple Effect: How Leaders Shape Culture 7:07

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#388 - Mark Toro - CVO @ Toro Development Co. - Developing Generational Mixed Use "Fortresses" 1:13:38

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#387 - Ken Hersh - Co-Founder NGP Energy Capital Management - The Godfather of Energy Private Equity 1:16:54

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#386 - Trent & Tyler Leon - Co-Founders @ Tilden Capital 1:15:50

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#385 - Andrew Yaffe - CEO @ Dude Perfect - The Business of the World’s Most Trusted Entertainment Brand 1:09:55

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#384 - Jason Karp - Founder of HumanCo - Hedge Fund Mogul Trades Wall Street for Wellness 1:21:11

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#383 - Hunter Pond - Founder @ Vandelay Hospitality Group - The Hottest Restaurateur in America 1:21:49

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#382 - Hiten Samtani - Founder @ ten31 Media - CRE is the Ultimate Business Bloodsport 1:07:08

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#381 - Chris Powers & Jason Baxter - Launching Fostr AI - The Right Way to Use AI at Work 32:12

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#380 - Paul Hedrick - Founder @ Tecovas - How Tecovas Became A Western Wear Empire 1:10:46

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#379 - Steve Cockram - Founder of 5Voices - Know Yourself, Influence, & Building Stronger Relationships 1:14:13