In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Charlene Wheeless, former NFL cheerleader, women’s keynote speaker, best-selling author, and leadership expert. Charlene’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and conscious choice. Through her experienc…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a compelling conversation about performance psychology with Paul McVeigh, a former professional football player (soccer, if you’re in the US) from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who competed at the highest levels of the English Premier League. After a decade-long career with clubs …

Some leaders talk about pressure—others have lived it. In this episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler sits down with Mark Fava—former naval flight officer, aviation lawyer, Boeing executive, and best-selling author—to uncover the hard truths about leadership when every decision matters. They discuss the high-stakes world of Cold War submar…

What does it take to lead in an industry that’s evolving faster than ever? In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Lucas Silva, a dynamic operations leader in the construction industry. They explore what it takes to lead in one of the most demanding and rapidly evolving fields. Lucas shares his journey—fro…

What does it take to lead with confidence when you’re thrown into the deep end—whether in the military, a high-stakes veterinary clinic, or any leadership role? In this special episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler sits down with his niece and godchild, Dr. Petra van Moorsel, who is a former U.S. Army Veterinary Corps captain turned civil…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Kerim Kfuri, global entrepreneur and supply chain expert, author, and CEO of the Atlas Network. They explore the intricate world of supply chains, the mindset needed for success, and the leadership principles that drive sustainable growth in an interconnected economy…

IBIE 2025, the largest baking industry event in the Western Hemisphere, returns September 13-17 in Las Vegas! Listen in as Groupo Bimbo's Jorge Zarate and ABA's Samantha Moore and Anne Fairfield-Sonn discuss IBIE's must-see features, new pavilions, AI-driven event navigation, and more. You'll get an inside look at how this global event is bringing …

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Kevin Wathey, founder of Valara, a global resort portfolio redefining wellness, and Baseline, a health technology platform revolutionizing personalized health insights. Kevin shares his inspiring journey, from navigating personal loss to finding his purpose in wellne…

Are You Waiting for Permission to Lead Your Best Life? In this week’s episode, host Marc Koehler engages in a powerful conversation with returning guest Heather Younger, a celebrated author, keynote speaker, and leadership and workplace culture expert, who calls out the habits holding us back—waiting, blaming, and avoiding responsibility—and shares…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with his former Executive Officer on the USS Pogy, Vice Admiral Joe Leidig, a distinguished leader with 39 years of service in the U.S. Navy and a wealth of experience in both military and business environments. Joe reflects on his incredible journey from being Executive …

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Elizabeth Yerecic Freedman, a leader in the family business world, to discuss leadership, sustainability, and the challenges of generational business transition. Elizabeth, who is deeply involved in her family's business, Yerecic Label, as Co-Owner and EVP, shares ho…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler is joined by Dr. Scott De Long, a serial entrepreneur, seasoned leadership expert, educator, and author of I Thought I Was a Leader. Scott brings years of experience in coaching, corporate leadership, and personal development, offering a wealth of insights on how to cultivate stron…

Curious how a former U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer used his experience to lead businesses to success? Tune into the Bake to the Future podcast as Pippa O'Shea, ABA's Senior Manager of Events and Programming, is joined by Marc Koehler. Marc shares his fascinating journey from submarine officer to leadership development specialist and his uniqu…

Listen in as ABA Vice President of Government Relations Rasma Zvaners and Corbion Vice President of Function Systems Abby Ceule discuss sustainability in the baking industry. They explore consumer demand, food waste, and offer advice for bakeries starting their sustainability journey. With special guest: Abby Ceule, Vice President of Function Syste…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with the renowned Coach Mark Gottfried, former NCAA Division I basketball coach and leadership expert. Together, they explore the evolution of Mark’s leadership over a 32-year coaching career and the timeless values that drive success on and off the court. Mark shares ins…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a conversation with Laura Hamill, a leader in organizational psychology and leadership development, founder of Paris Phoenix Group, and author of the just-released book The Power of Culture. Together, they explore the evolving dynamics of leadership, workplace culture, a…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler talks with Eddie Pate, a seasoned inclusion, diversity, and equity expert. With a robust career spanning over two decades, Eddie has significantly contributed to leading inclusion initiatives at renowned organizations, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks, which has equipped …

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a conversation with leading food and agriculture research expert and Holland-native, Anne-Marie Roerink. Together, they explore the intersection of leadership, industry evolution, and the importance of curiosity in driving meaningful change. Anne-Marie shares her insight…

In this special episode of the *Surfacing Leaders* podcast, host Marc Koehler reconnects with former shipmate, Sean Kelley. Both Marc and Sean served together aboard the nuclear-powered USS Pogy submarine, and this episode is filled with stories from their time beneath the waves. They recount life on a submarine—its challenges, its camaraderie, and…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky, a unique voice in workplace culture and the future of work. Smiley's wealth of experience in fostering inclusivity, belonging, and personal connection in today's rapidly evolving work environment, particularly …

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler speaks with Jean-Louis “JL” Jabbour, the youngest General Manager in the College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk and Moving franchise network, leading one of its most successful locations. As a standout 27-year old Gen Z leader in an organization with over 200 franchises nationwide, JL off…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has an inspiring conversation with Bita Safari, an extraordinary philanthropist, entrepreneur, and founder of GiGO Clean. Bita, who immigrated from Iran but has lived in Orange County, California, for the past 30 years, brings a unique perspective to leadership and resilience, shap…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned author and leadership expert Dr. David Burkus. Together, they delve into the delicate balance between autonomy and accountability in the workplace, exploring strategies for enhancing employee engagement and fostering a cultu…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Laura Bratton to hear her incredible story of grit and gratitude. After losing her sight as a young child, she became the author of Harnessing Courage and became a top leadership speaker. Laura brings a unique perspective on these essential qualities. She recounts he…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Jason Harris, a former Air Force combat pilot and seasoned leader. Their conversation explores the deep connections between trust, legacy, and resilience in effective leadership. Jason shares powerful insights from his career as a combat pilot and leadership coach, f…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dan Chuparkoff, an AI and innovation expert. They explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on leadership and team dynamics. Dan shares his journey of surfacing as a leader at Google to founding Reinvention Labs, hig…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has an insightful conversation with Dr. Fergus Connolly, an expert in high performance and leadership. They discuss the essential qualities of authentic leadership and high-performing teams. Fergus shares his experiences from his diverse career in sports, business, and military env…

In the latest episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc has an in-depth and insightful conversation with best-selling author and caring leadership expert Heather Younger. Heather, an expert in workplace dynamics and leadership development, shares her journey and experiences promoting empathetic leadership within organizations. The discussion starts w…

In one of our most inspiring episodes of the Servicing Leaders podcast yet, Marc interviews Robert Paylor, an exceptional individual who has transformed tragedy into triumph. Rob shares his journey from being a promising athlete to facing a life-altering spinal cord injury that left him quadriplegic, with doctors saying he would never walk or use h…

In this episode of "Surfacing Leaders," host Marc Koehler interviews guest James Hewitt, an expert in cognitive performance, to discuss high-performance leadership. Hewitt draws parallels between the demanding environment of Formula One racing and leadership and shares insights into the importance of mastering effort and recovery for sustained succ…

Introducing Bill Quigg, ABA’s incoming Chair and the President of Richmond Baking, who shares his family's extensive legacy and looks ahead to collaborative endeavors aimed at fostering growth and innovation within the baking community. He shares his vision to enhance the industry's positive impact during his term and highlights opportunities for m…

In this episode, Marc Koehler engages in an insightful dialogue with Liz Wiseman, a leadership expert and best-selling author of the books Multipliers and Impact Players, among others. The conversation delves deep into the essence of impactful leadership and strategies for multiplying one's influence within organizations. Throughout the episode, Wi…

In one of our most unique episodes of Surfacing Leaders yet, host Marc Koehler engages in a profound conversation with Doug Manuel, a rare combination of leadership expert and lifelong student of West African music and culture. This episode takes listeners on a journey exploring the intersection of leadership principles and Doug's passion for playi…

In this episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Heather McGowan, an expert on the future of work and leadership. Heather McGowan shares insights into the evolving work landscape, emphasizing the need for organizations to prioritize empathy as a core value to drive performance. She highlights …

The newly revealed strategic plan by ABA aims to position the industry as a leader in establishing and promoting a workplace environment that is second to none, fostering growth within the overall category, and enhancing ABA's programs and services to ensure high value impact for its members. This comprehensive initiative is entirely dedicated to c…

Join host Marc Koehler in a conversation exploring leadership, creativity, and the human spirit with brilliant Creativity Strategist Natalie Nixon. In this episode of Surfacing Leaders, Natalie, an expert in anthropology, fashion, and design thinking, takes us on a journey through her unique path of surfacing as a leader and shares invaluable insig…

In this episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler explores the transformative journey of Chris Dyer, a business culture expert, and keynote speaker. They focus on creating a workplace culture centered around transparency, openness, and a unique concept coined by Dyer as "Part-Time Leadership." The episode navigates through Dyer's experiences …

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Marcus Collins, an award-winning marketer, cultural translator, and author of the newly released book For The Culture. Marcus shares his remarkable story of surfacing as a leader, from music and tech to his current, prominent roles as Chief Strategy Officer at Wieden…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast hosted by Marc Koehler, listeners will gain valuable insights from Hala Khalaf's journey of surfacing as a leader. Hala is a multifaceted individual who balances various roles as a leader in the Hard Rock organization, a new mother, and the CEO of her handbag line. During the conversation, Hala share…

As we kick off 2024, we sat down to discuss labor market dynamics and changing consumer preferences, as well as anticipated legislative and regulatory issues on the horizon. With special guests: Eric Dell, President and CEO, American Bakers Association and Rasma Zvaners, Vice President Regulatory & Technical Services, American Bakers Association…

In Episode 17 “Inclusive Leadership: Building a Stronger Workforce through Second Chance Redemption,” host Marc Koehler engages in a profound conversation with Jeff Korzenik, an economist and author. The episode focuses on the transformative power of today’s business leaders providing second chances to individuals with criminal records - helping th…

In this episode of Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Teri Hart, the author of Hardwired to Learn and a seasoned expert in the field of learning and development. Teri, with a background rich in experience, shares insights into the transformative power of continuous learning and the evolving…

On Episode 15 of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler talks with former D1 soccer captain-turned-CEO of Captain's University, Anja Koehler, about her journey of being tapped as team captain to overcoming adversity and finally empowering women leaders worldwide. Among other inspiring stories from her soccer career, this episode explores Anja's exper…

H&S Family of Bakeries partnered with Baltimore’s Living Classrooms Foundation to create a mechanics apprenticeship program, which aims to support underserved communities and second-chance workers in Baltimore by providing tailored training and guaranteed employment opportunities. Tune in to learn how this partnership is reshaping lives and develop…

Dive into Episode 14 of Surfacing Leaders as Marc Koehler and guest Commander George Wallace unfold his extraordinary journey—from navigating the depths of submarine command to crafting best-selling novels turned Hollywood hits. Explore the intricacies of submarine life, where camaraderie and teamwork are crucial against the unforgiving ocean backd…

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a deep and enlightening conversation with Bob Goodwin, the founder of Career Club. Career Club is an innovative organization dedicated to helping individuals navigate career changes and challenges successfully. Bob shares valuable insights on how people can gain clarity,…

In this inspiring episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler welcomes Coach Frank Zimmerman, a remarkable guest whose life story is intrinsically tied to the world of soccer and Marc himself, as they have coached together and been friends for almost 20 years. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary journey of an unsung hero, renowned in Sou…

Join us in this flavorful episode of Surfacing Leaders as we dive into the inspiring journey of Starr Edwards, the driving force behind the culinary sensation known as Bitchin' Sauce. Starr's remarkable story takes us from her humble beginnings at a local farmers market to the global stage. We explore the secret ingredients that have made her leade…

National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and American Bakers Association sit down to discuss their favorite brews, workforce development, and agricultural and transportation policies. With special guests: Eric Dell, President and CEO, American Bakers Association and Craig Purser, President & CEO, National Beer Wholesalers Association…

In this episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler delves into the captivating world of leadership with Diana Scherer, a Jazzercise instructor who brings a unique twist to the term "leader." Join us as Diana shares her journey from the dance floor to the stage, where she not only leads workouts but inspires and transforms lives. Discover how J…