Life, Mentored

Life, Mentored Episode 8 - Freeman Beals

Some people learned leadership in a boardroom, Freeman learned it on the river. As a whitewater rafting guide and operations manager of an adventure company, he led teams in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where clear communication, quick decision-making, and trust made all the difference. That experience shaped how he approach project management, client success, UX design, operations, innovation, and so many other aspects of life. Keeping things moving, solving problems quickly, and working as a team are paramount. Over the past 15+ years, he’s worked across adventure tourism, tech, consulting, and construction, leading teams and building systems that help businesses run smoother, improve customer experiences, and scale without chaos. He believes great leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but rather it’s about asking the right questions, empowering people, and turning big challenges into simple, effective solutions. Whether it’s scaling operations, streamlining workflows, or designing better user experiences, he brings the same approach he did when guiding a raft down Class V rapids...plan, adapt, communicate, and make sure everyone gets to the other side in one piece. Check out this episode where Freeman shares how the lessons he learned on the rapids helped him in his everyday life. Get full access to Joe Mullikin's Substack at joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe [https://joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Life, Mentored Episode 7 - Dr. Caroline Danda

Dr. Caroline Danda is a licensed psychologist with over twenty years of clinical experience working with children, teens, and their families. As a mother of three, she brings professional expertise and real-world understanding to the challenges families face today. Her collaborative, educational approach is grounded in real-life solutions—from managing big emotions to improving communication and strengthening family connections. Her mission is simple: to help young people and their families create happier, healthier lives where resilience can flourish. Dr. Danda co-authored "From Surviving to Vibing," offering practical strategies for teens and tweens to navigate life's difficulties and build well-being. As an engaging speaker and educator, she delivers workshops and presentations that equip parents, educators, and professionals with evidence-based strategies to support youth mental health and help them create environments where children and teens can thrive. Get full access to Joe Mullikin's Substack at joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe [https://joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Life, Mentored Episode 6 - Dan Cox

Dan Cox is an experienced educational leader, endurance athlete, and speaker. With over 25 years in education, including 15 years as a superintendent, Dan has led school districts through both growth and complex challenges, always with a focus on cultivating strong leadership and resilient cultures. Beyond his work in education, Dan is an ultramarathon runner and endurance athlete who transformed his own life by losing 100 pounds and ultimately completing the grueling 50-mile World's Toughest Mudder. His personal journey of self-discipline and perseverance shapes the coaching and consulting he provides through his business, Endurance Edge. Dan’s philosophy is rooted in doing hard things, leaning into discomfort, and embracing the mindset of "earning your sunrise," believing that growth lives on the other side of challenge. Get full access to Joe Mullikin's Substack at joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe [https://joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Life, Mentored Episode 5 - Mike Lubelfeld

Dr. Michael Lubelfeld has served as a public school superintendent in Illinois since 2010 and currently leads North Shore School District 112, serving the communities of Highland Park and Highwood, IL, just north of Chicago. A nationally recognized educational leader, Dr. Lubelfeld is deeply engaged in leadership development and professional growth, collaborating with state and national associations to inspire the next generation of educational leaders. A sought-after speaker, he has presented across the United States and internationally on topics including leadership, student voice, global service learning, and innovative educational practices. Dr. Lubelfeld has co-authored several influential books, including The Unlearning Leader: Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools (2017), Student Voice: From Invisible to Invaluable (2018), The Unfinished Leader: A School Leadership Framework for Growth & Development (2021), and The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself (2024). His latest work, Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools Today, is currently in publication. Dr. Lubelfeld’s leadership has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2017 Lake County Superintendent of the Year Award and the 2021 Administration and Supervision Distinguished Alumni Award from the Loyola University of Chicago School of Education. Mike and his wife, Stephanie, have two children and live in suburban Chicago, where he continues to champion educational excellence and leadership development. Get full access to Joe Mullikin's Substack at joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe [https://joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Life, Mentored Episode 4 - Dan Stecken

Dan Stecken is the District Superintendent of Seneca Township High School in North Central Illinois. He spearheaded the implementation of The Seneca Way and led the district to the honor of being a certified Great Place to Work. He also authored A Stressed Leaders Journey, the Rookie’s Guide to Being a School District Superintendent, and has a weekly newsletter by the same name. Beyond that, he has developed the Stressed Leaders Conference to support leaders in all fields who are overworked, overburdened, and burned out. His work and more about this conference can be found at www.stressedleaders.com. Get full access to Joe Mullikin's Substack at joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe [https://joemullikin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]